Murders and armed robberies increase in Bahamas
Murders and armed robberies have increased significantly this year compared to the same period last year, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday.
There have been 47 murders for the year so far, according to police.
With 73 murders recorded in 2020, it was the lowest count in a decade for The Bahamas, down 23 percent compared to 2019, which saw 95 murders.
There were 313 armed robberies in 2020, down 41 percent, compared to the 531 recorded in 2019.
While Dames said overall crime is down, those two categories are exceptions.
“Let me be the first to say that the numbers, as presented, are very encouraging and lends to the fact that we are truly heading in the right direction as it relates to crime,” he said.
“However, this year, while overall crime is showing an eight percent reduction, we see increases in two key areas: murder and armed robbery.
“At present, murders are up 52 percent, and armed robberies are up 42 percent over last year at the same time.”
Dames said, “This up-ticking appears to be a global trend. But, it is also a reminder that there remains much work ahead of us.”
Many have questioned whether the state of emergency, which The Bahamas has been under for more than a year now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to a decrease in crime in 2020.
Early in the pandemic, Bahamians, especially on New Providence, were subject to several restrictive measures, which at one point included both a 24-hour curfew on weekdays, during which people were only permitted to leave their homes for essential reasons and weekend lockdowns where everyone had to remain within the confines of their property for days at a time.
While several restrictions remain in place, including a 10 p.m. curfew on New Providence, the country has reopened significantly compared to early last year.
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