The Tribune

A FORMER police officer and owner of a private security firm has urged Bahamians to exercise extreme caution in the coming weeks, projecting a spike in crime as a result of unemployment due to COVID-19.

Elston Bain, a 16-year veteran of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and now CEO of Tactical Private Investigators, sounded the alarm following news of massive staff reductions, closures of shops and attractions, cancellations of events and even a temporary closure to a popular restaurant at Arawak Cay.

“We have all been dwelling on messages of caution relative to staying healthy,” said Mr Bain, who founded the security company. “While we are focusing on avoiding becoming infected by the fast-spreading coronavirus, we need to spread the message to exercise caution against what will inevitably be an increase in personal and property crime as a result of a sudden spike in unemployment.”

With governments across the globe warning against non-essential travel, cruise ships that normally deliver five million passengers a year to the port of Nassau are now parked.

The sudden impact on economic activity was evident throughout Nassau yesterday. A normally bustling Bay Street was empty during peak daytime hours. Many businesses had shutters rolled down, signifying closures and parking lots that are normally packed were empty.

“Many who will feel the impact first already struggle to make ends meet,” said Mr Bain. “They live paycheck to paycheck and in hard times like these – which hit especially hard because there was no warning – and they still have families to feed, they may act in desperation. That can lead to a wide range of criminal activity.”

Mr Bain urges extra vigilance and offers these tips.

“Even if you own expensive jewelry, do not wear it at this time, store it safely away. Do not wear anything flashy. If you have a safe at home, make sure it is well concealed and bolted to a wall or floor,” said Mr Bain, a former detective corporal. “If you arrive home and anything feels out of place, trust your instinct, absolutely do not proceed inside and risk confronting someone. Go to the nearest police station and ask an officer to escort you home, same thing if you think you are being followed. “

The one advantage, said Mr Bain, about this time of year – daylight savings time.

“If you walk or jog for exercise, you have more hours of daylight in the early evening to do so. Please do not jog in the dark, you are only making yourself more of a target,” he said. “And whenever possible, run or jog or cycle in a group. Be as vigilant and careful with your attention to your surroundings as you now are with washing your hands. This, too, shall pass and we just want to get you through it as safely as possible.”