By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday said the issue of the US Embassy warning Americans about crime in the Bahamas should be put to rest.
His comments came after the US Embassy recently warned its citizens about crime by highlighting several cases that took place this year.
“I, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, can write the same thing about criminal events in certain parts of Miami, the city of Chicago, the city of New York and Los Angeles,” he said in the House of Assembly yesterday.
“I can tell Bahamians through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that crime is out of control in parts of those cities. I don’t condemn the entire United States because there is crime in Chicago. As a matter of fact, every year we warn Bahamians about their safety and how to protect themselves from being robbed in Miami. We do it at Christmas time. We say to Bahamians, when you go into Miami, be careful where you park your car, be careful when you’re on the highway; if you get bumped, don’t go outside. We at least add three or four occasions during Christmas time every year where people’s passports are stolen from cars in Miami by Bahamians who leave their passports and brief-cases in cars in Miami.”
Mr Mitchell said crime takes place “in any modern state.”
He added: “But every time there is some statement by the US, we get all agitated about it. The government’s history of fighting crime, it’s legacy of fighting crime is unremitted. No one wants anyone to come to this country and be harmed in any way,” he said.
Comments
henny 10 years, 7 months ago
Those cities you mention are by far larger than Nassau and yes crime is everywhere. The US Embassy has every right to warn American citizens of the crime situation. There was a time one could visit the Bahamas and have a crime free visit. Now all that has changed. So continue to get agitated if that's what you choose to do!!
PastorTroy 10 years, 7 months ago
Very good Mr. Minister! very good statement! Now, an addition to that, you should add, because of the vulnerability in Tourism, and mass access to unfiltered information, globalization and fierce competition, we need to immediately create another less vulnerable and sustainable industry in The Bahamas! Also, the last paragraph about the history of crime fighting???? Hmmmm.
Honestman 10 years, 7 months ago
Regardless of the unfairness of it all (given America's dreadful crime situation in the heart of its own inner cities), the US Embassy and the Cruise Lines are only doing their job of warning their citizens and customers of the dangers of walking around Nassau. Yes, it hurts us all to think that the world does not see New Providence as a little bit of Paradise. Unfortunately we lost that tag a long time ago. Successive administrations have buried their head in the sand for too long and now and the problem has become critical. So Fred Mitchell's response is to blame the US Embassy for picking on The Bahamas!! No Fred, instead of pointing the finger at the Americans, persuade your PM and his colleagues that reducing crime is the absolute TOP priority. Let's see some decisive leadership on the issue starting with a declaration of WAR against these armed thugs.
Cornel 10 years, 7 months ago
According to the stats . . In 2012 Miami had 69 murders or 16.7 per 100,000. (see http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Mi…). According to stats for the Caribbean, The Bahamas had 120 murders in 2013 or 34.1 per 100,000 (see http://hospitalitybusinessnews.com/2014… ) . I bet if you took the murders only for Nassau the number per 100,000 would be 50-60.
Instead of complaining about the US Embassy the Government should do something about the crime.
wearedone 10 years, 7 months ago
Let this idiot do as he always does, blame someone else.
GQ 10 years, 7 months ago
Will Minister Mitchell ever realize that the US does not need us Bahamians to come to their country, but The Bahamas desperately needs tourist from anywhere and especially the US.
How on earth does this idiot get elected repeatedly and appointed a minister in the government? He must have some information on someone.
DreamerX 10 years, 7 months ago
This article is poorly framed, lacks context and Mr. Mitchell's quotes if they are complete, show only one thing, that he failed to establish coherent thought for this interview/statement.
We shouldn't have to read into a news article. News should be bit more objective and accessible. However, I believe it is fair to say Mr. Mitchell is meant to be talking about local people making a fuss and giving weight that the US Embassy made a statement. He tried to compare that we make similar public statements about popular US Destinations as well. So just get over it, in a sense.
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