It is known that today the crime situation in the Bahamian society is really a serious one. The crime rate is constantly increasing, but the Bahamian authorities pay little attention to this acute problem. According to the statistical data represented by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, “reported incidents of murder and rape on New Providence increased by 41% and 56% respectively last year compared to the same period in 2010.” (Thompson)
The police recorded about 107 rapes and 127 murders in the Bahamas in 2011. This data is really horrifying. Moreover, it is found that increasing violent crime rate can have a negative impact on tourism in the Bahamas what can lead to decline in economy, inflation and higher level of unemployment. (Todd) Some possible solutions to improve the existing crime situation in the Bahamian society include the enhancement of the Royal Bahamas Police involvement in all spheres of human activity, the reduction of the high level of unemployment in the Bahamas and strengthening the drug and weapons border control.
My goal in this paper is to discuss some possible solutions to the problem of violent crime in the Bahamian society which prevents successful development of economic, political and cultural life of the local population.
One of the possible solutions to the problem of increasing violent crime rate in the Bahamian society is focused on the enhancement of the Royal Bahamas Police involvement in all spheres of human activity in the Bahamas. Today many Bahamian officials, including the Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, are sure that it is necessary to put more police on the streets of Nassau and other cities in order to stop numerous street crimes, such as daylight and night robberies, armed robberies, manslaughters, burglaries, rapes, murders, and so on. (Hartnell) As a rule, the victims of such crimes are the tourists who come to the Bahamas by cruise ships. (Violent Crime is on the upswing in the Bahamas) The police officers will be able to control the crime situation and arrest criminals who violate the established rules and regulations. Besides, it will give an opportunity to the tourists to feel perfectly safe on the streets of the cities.
The other solution to the problem of violent crime in the Bahamian society is based on the reduction of the high unemployment rate in the Bahamas. It is known that Alex Sokoloff, a well-known political and economic advisor for the embassy in the Bahamas, states that “various economic conditions, such as unemployment are the driving force behind the crime wave.” (Todd) The reduction of the high unemployment rate will help to establish healthy conditions of human activity. Those young men who committed crimes in the Bahamas will be able to get jobs and earn money by fair means. Moreover, they will have no spare time to commit crimes as they will be busy at work.
One more solution to the existing problem of increasing violent rate in the Bahamian society is focused on strengthening of drug and weapons border control. It is known that most crimes in the Bahamas are committed by drug takers. If drag trafficking is under control, the criminal situation in the Bahamian society will be changed. Moreover, according to the report of the US Drug Enforcement Agency, “there may be an increase in the transport of drugs through the Bahamas.” (An Increase in Drug Trafficking through the Bahamas?) That is why it is very important for the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Drug Enforcement Unit to utilize all resources in order to strengthen drug and weapons border control. Besides, strengthening of drug and weapons border control will give an opportunity to reduce drug trade and weapons trade in the Bahamas. It means that less people will be involved in drug trafficking. In addition, the number of armed crimes will be reduced. It means that less people will be killed in the streets of the Bahamas.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is necessary to say that the issue concerning violent crime situation in the Bahamian society is really an important one and requires appropriate solutions. In this situation, it will be better to enhance the Royal Bahamas Police involvement in all spheres of human activity, including social life, economic and cultural events. Moreover, it will be better to implement some strategies in order to reduce unemployment in the Bahamas and to strengthen drug and weapons border control.
Works Cited
An Increase in Drug Trafficking through the Bahamas? The Freeport News. July 20, 2011. Retrieved from:<http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/53371416746109.php>
Crime in the Bahamas. WorldNomans.com. August 24, 2010. Retrieved from:<http://journals.worldnomads.com/safetyhub/story/76230/Bahamas/Crime-In-the-Bahamas>
Hartnell, N. Crime in Bahamas ‘far beyond Wild Wild West’. Bahamasb2b2.com. August 4, 2010. Retrieved from:< http://www.bahamasb2b.com/news/2010/08/bahamas-beyond-wild-west-441.html>
Thompson, T. Rape and Murder Spiked in 2011. Increases Most Notable on New Providence. The Nassau Guardian. January 5, 2012. Retrieved from:<http://www.thenassauguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20639:rape-and-murder-spiked-in-2011&catid=3:news&Itemid=27>
Todd, J. Sokoloff: Crime level a Concern for Tourism. The Nassau Guardian. January 20, 2012. Retrieved from:<http://www.thenassauguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22048&Itemid=2>
Violent Crime is on the upswing in the Bahamas. eTN Global Travel Industry News. May 14, 2010. Retrieved from:< http://www.eturbonews.com/14888/violent-crime-upswing-bahamas>