By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE number of violent crimes in The Bahamas rose by one per cent against the same period last year, according to police statistics.
However, a 13 per cent drop in property crimes reduced the overall level of crime by 11 per cent for the year up to yesterday.
When questioned about the decreased figures in relation to the high volume of shootings in New Providence this year, police officials explained that some shootings were classified as “causing harm” based on severity of the crime.
Incidents of “causing harm” are not included in the official statistics that were released yesterday.
Last night, police released statistics on national reported crimes in the country from January 1 to May 27.
Official figures indicate an overall 13 per cent decrease in murder, and a 60 per cent drop in attempted murder. There was a five per cent increase in armed robbery and a 33 per cent hike in attempted robbery.
Robberies were reportedly down by 4 per cent overall in comparison with the same period last year.
On New Providence, crime statistics indicated a six per cent drop in murder, and a 56 per cent drop in attempted murder. However, unlawful sexual intercourse rose 10 per cent in the capital, with armed robbery and attempted robbery increased by 13 and 57 per cent respectively.
Crime in Grand Bahama saw a 15 per cent drop, with a 29 per cent decrease in violent crimes and a 13 per cent reduction in property crimes.
According to police, crime in the Family Islands dropped 17 per cent.
Comments
B_I_D___ 11 years, 5 months ago
Well ya better make dang sure that the stats you are using from last year did not also have the 'causing harm' get out of jail free card...let's make sure to compare apples to apples here...
"When questioned about the decreased figures in relation to the high volume of shootings in New Providence this year, police officials explained that some shootings were classified as “causing harm” based on severity of the crime.
Incidents of “causing harm” are not included in the official statistics that were released yesterday"
MartGM 11 years, 5 months ago
I was just about to say the same thing! SMT
maryann 11 years, 5 months ago
But when a gun is fired at someone it is not to harm someone , but the intention is to end their life.
B_I_D___ 11 years, 5 months ago
...'cause apparently shooting someone and not actually killing them is not a violent act...SERIOUSLY??
concernedcitizen 11 years, 5 months ago
so if your a bad shot its not a serious crime and you are allowed to continue and sharpen your marksmanship
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 5 months ago
Was he laughing when he made the "causing harm" statement? Give him some slack, he may have been laughing....
concernedcitizen 11 years, 5 months ago
funny ,if he wasn,t cracken up he wanted to ,,
Fedup 11 years, 5 months ago
they cant be serious ...... what a joke
My5Cents 11 years, 5 months ago
Streets don't lie...everyone cooking their numbers
lazybor 11 years, 5 months ago
so, what we read everyday also on this site is invention or phantasy...right?
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Collin 11 years, 5 months ago
Complete and utter nonsense. ZNS indicated that there has been 4 attempted murders this year; that equates to less than 1 per month. Does the RBPF really expect the Bahamian people to buy this nonsense? You are quickly losing credibility we have had more people shot or stabbed than dies from these injuries.
In fact, in a discussion a number of have concluded (tongue in cheek) that murders were down and attempted murder were up due to the real killers having already being killed. However, in recent times it appears to make up for their inaccuracies recently the murderers have been shooting to knock their target down and then at point blank rage started emptying their clip.
My good police officers I do not think you wish to deceive us, but if the political directorate are forcing you to do this nonsense please find some way to wink or something so the rest of us can understand. Otherwise you risk the general populace having very little regard from your utterances.
Collin 11 years, 5 months ago
Please forgive me for the numerous typos
TalRussell 11 years, 5 months ago
There are those "official" policeman's statistics and then there is the reality of living in fear over all the crime that's gong on around you? I think most citizens and residents knows the difference.
As the public's faith in their policeman's ability to manage crime sinks to lower levels of expectations, so does their reporting of crimes to the policeman's. Some for reasons of privacy, embarrassment, family or little faith that anything meaningful will come of it?
In excess of 40% of crimes committed in Bahamaland go unreported to the police. So much for truthfully measuring"official" crime statistics.
Wouldn't this downward trend in crime result in lower incarceration rates up at Fox Hill prison? Can you imagine how many prisoners would actually be locked-up in Fox Hill, if only the Judges were locking-up the hundreds of them "wondering" KILLERS appearing before them?
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