The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas’ crime problem is “long past the point of concern”, a leading private sector representative warning: “We are at danger zone levels.”

Gowon Bowe, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chairman, speaking with Tribune Business at a press conference to announce RoyalFidelity’s Bahamas Economic Outlook conference on January 21, said: “When we talk about crime, the harsh reality is that we are long past the point of concern. We are at danger zone levels.

“When we start thinking about danger zone levels, you start talking drastic actions. When I say drastic actions, I don’t know those answers. I’m not a criminologist but I think that persons in society are willing to accept well-articulated plans that will break the back of what these challenges are.”

Mr Bowe’s comments come after the US Embassy’s latest crime warning, issued on January 5. It urged all US tourists and residents to shun the jet ski industry, adding that there had been five sexual assaults committed by operators against US citizens in just over 18 months.

“That becomes a real threat to not only the watersports industry. Sometimes we think very domestically in that we think that the crime doesn’t affect anything else, but it does,” said Mr Bowe.

In December, the US Embassy issued a Christmas crime warning for American residents living in The Bahamas or those planning travel to this country, urging them to “remain on heightened alert to avoid being a victim of crime”.

Last August, the British and Canadian governments both warned their citizens that crime in the Bahamas is increasing, and urged travellers to New Providence to be vigilant.

“We need to have bold and courageous leadership that sometimes is going to make a decision that is extremely unpopular, but is for the betterment of the country,” said Mr Bowe.

“If we burn down the country by the elements of crime, then we are going to end up in a situation where even the criminals will end up having nothing to fight over.

“As it relates to businesses, the real impact is seen in the cost of security. There is no business that can open up now that is not thinking about security guards, cameras, off-duty policeman and others to help protect their premises.

“That adds an additional cost to business. When you add that cost it takes away from another person being employed or another business opportunity.”