Comments on: Street Crime in Nassau, Bahamas

By: Steven Jenson

Steven Jenson — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:05:13 +0000

Well really what did you expect? Didn’t you follow the advice on state.gov which, if you read inbetween the lines, clearly shows you how capitalism works in Nassau. You’ve got your perfect gated beaches, houses, businesses and then you’ve got the over-exploited third-world section with an unusually high underclass which are very developed in criminal activity.

I imagine that even the local workers who are paid pittances turn to crime to cover eating etc, that is what Nassau is like and a customary bit of research would have told you that. That there’s corruption in high levels in such a place is totally unsurprising, you’d be better off playing the game based on how much money you’ve got, but don’t take that as me advocating corruption. That’s just total honesty.

So you’ve got no right to moan, play the game properly as a rich parasi..tourist or get robbed, your choice.

By: Bambi Vincent

Bambi Vincent — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:41:57 +0000

Hey Den, thanks for your comments. I agree that, except for the crime factor, the Bahamas is a wonderful place to live. I lived in Cable Beach for three full years and loved it. I’m so sad to see the deterioration of Nassau, and hear about my friends there being robbed and burglarized. Perhaps your generation will see things with fresh eyes and turn the tables. You seem to have a good eye on the state of the island.

By: Den

Den — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:25:27 +0000

I live in Nassau and i am very young i can see how you people feel about the robberies and say its not safe. I know as a student that it isint and you have to strive everyday to make it and avoid certain things/ people. The Bahamas is still a wonderful place but i know the crime rate is high overly high and we need to do something about it because then we wont have money or a place to stay expecally our generation my generation. Everyone thinks i have to do this or since u did this i must do that or finish it which isnt right.You may think i only 15 and know that our island is being destroyed and we are falling apart. I guess there are good things and bad things to the Bahamas.

By: seahawk20

seahawk20 — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:05:46 +0000

So I was thinking of going to Nassau by myself. Thinking that if I stay near my hotel I will be safe. Guess not…

By: Bambi

Bambi — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:09:36 +0000

Thanks for your insight, ChubbyBoy. I think that, to the rest of the world, the Bahamas ARE seen as paradise. I don’t think there has been enough bad publicity to stem the flow of tourists yet. The educated Bahamians understand the importance of tourism to their country. It’s the few bad apples who spoil the whole thing (as usual).

Richard—I haven’t heard about the 70 freed criminals. Tell me more! And yes, wherever cops are underpaid, crime and corruption are huge problems. Your friend… was he the victim of an armed robbery? Thanks for writing.

By: richard westin

richard westin — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:31:38 +0000

A few years ago the courts freed about 70 criminals. Why is unclear. Among other activities, they did break-ins at very expensive houses, tying up victims and inflicting violence. Do not think you are safe anywhere. Crime is out of control. A friend of mine was assassinated there. Being a cop is a low prestige low-pay job there. Drug dealers can pay them off. It will take a conspicuous murder of a tourist or two before this turns around. Outside Nassau (other islands) things are pretty safe.

By: ChubbyBoy

ChubbyBoy — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:00:22 +0000

The above descriptions of individual events are indeed a sorry testimony to a tourism dependent nation and civility as they see it. But, it would perhaps shed more light on the situation if more statistics were also made available so that things could be put into the right perspective.

One can only hope that the native Bahamian population gives more thought to the way they would like to see their country and its people perceived. It would be so much easier for all parties if the Bahamas were seen as “the promised paradise” for holiday makers and businesses alike. After all, that is the Bahamian dream in a nutshell isn´t it?

By: Sean Wallace

Sean Wallace — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:58:49 +0000

Kruisin, you said that next time you stop in Nassau you will “leave all [your] valuables on board ship.”

Why wouldn’t you always do this?

Apart from that, this is an interesting article about crime in a country that doesn’t get tons of press in the US. Thanks for writing about it, Bambi.

By: Kruisin'

Kruisin' — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:02:38 +0000

I was on that same segway tour a month before the above incident. I will be going back to Nassau in 2 weeks on another cruise and will stay on the ship this time… or maybe hop off to Senor Frogs for a bit, and leave all my valuables on board ship.

By: World Traveler

World Traveler — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:08:26 +0000

When will western governments put Bahamas on the danger-to-travel list?

Why do cruise ships stop there?

Bahamians, don’t tell me about sorry and a rare incidence. In a small country everyone knows who is a crook and it is easy to crush them. The local government abets and the citizens ignore the obvious – same as Sicily.

By: Keith Daye

Keith Daye — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 13:23:53 +0000

I’ve been to Cable Beach at least 5 times in the last 10 years. We have never had a problem with crime. We go for walks along the nicely landscaped boulevard, take the bus downtown for jewelry shopping, and go to the fish fry. We love it here. My prayers go out to the people who were robbed… I would never wish that upon anybody!

By: James

James — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:23:10 +0000

I visited and was struck by a hit and run Bahamian Police Van. All they seemed to “Care” about at the hospital was Voiced by the perpetrator or shall I say tormentor “how will you pay?” over and over as I lay bleeding internally without being rendered any emergency care until they were paid. The inhumanity of a “private” hospital”in Nassau was overwhelming. My IV didnt drip for two hours and as I was dehydrating they say ” well get it…” The Bahamian Police are a farce and cover up; not wanting to give me a copy of police report. Even the Ambassador is involved in the coverup; unwilling to respond aside from the initial contact. A sad ; mentally tortuous visit. Never go to this hell hole!

By: Harry

Harry — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:01:36 +0000

I’m extremely disappointed in the amount of crime in the Bahamas and the apparent lack of concern by the government. You would think that since their economy is very dependent on tourism that all crime would be severely punished and the pursuit of criminals would be aggressive.
We have been thinking of retiring to the Bahamas or elsewhere in the Caribbean but are now rethinking our options. There is no way I’ll make a million dollar investment in a country such as this. These people seem to enjoy biting the hand that feeds them. This isn’t the paradise that I’m looking for! They won’t get any of my money unless they clean up their problems.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:58:45 +0000

I lived on an outer island in Hawaii for 15 years.
the locals there hate visitors.
Welcome to hawaii, now leave.
they steal your money and spit on your memory.
They are one fraction of an inch from slitting the white mans throat. they hate blacks the most.
Be aware of the people/animals around you.
these posts are correct, Humans are evil creatures whereever you go. Don’t be stupid.

By: Rusty Brown

Rusty Brown — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:32:57 +0000

I was appalled to see the situation in Nassau when I visited there a couple of years ago. Nothing I read in advance gave me any warning.

Hotel front door locked at all times – you have to ring to be let into your own hotel. Locked iron gates everywhere. Every bank with a guard at the front door who will let you in – or not – at his discretion. Warnings from the locals not to be out after dark. Streets that are totally abandoned at night.

What kind of ‘tourist paradise’ is this?

I will avoid this inhospitable dangerous town forever and will recommend others to do the same.