The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The high crime rate, robberies, murders and rapes has ruined the international image and reputation of the Bahamas as a safe place for American, Canadian and European tourists to travel, because, in my opinion, of the failure of Prime Minister Philip Davis and Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe to reduce crimes, robberies, murders and rapes in The Bahamas. My warnings, prophecy and predictions have now come true - on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, the US State Department issued a warning to its American citizens about the Bahamas’ high crime rate, robberies, murders and rapes.

I had offered help and assistance to the Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Minister of Tourism, and Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, expressing deep concerned with the high crime rate, which could soon start to target tourists travelling to The Bahamas - but continued to be ignored. As I warned sooner or later the US State Department was going to issue a Travel Advisory. It has now happened.

It was published in the USA Today and the statements made by the US State Department issuing its warning to American citizens - tourists - considering to travel to The Bahamas is bad, terrible and terrifying, saying travellers should practice increased vigilance over the hill, Shirley Street where gang violence has resulted in high homicides. Violent crimes, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults, happened in both tourist and non-tourist areas, also warnings against commercial recreational watercraft, jet skis and, including water tours, these activities are not consistently regulated, maybe poorly maintained and may not have safety certification. If true this is horrible and horrendous bad news about The Bahamas and tourism.

In The Tribune newspaper, hotels owners are now wondering is The Bahamas safe for tourists to travel with the high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes? In The Nassau Guardian article two American female tourists were raped on Paradise Island. My next prediction and prophecy, foreign investor owners of hotels will soon begin to sell their hotels and laying off thousands of Bahamian workers, because of the high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes in The Bahamas. In my opinion, Prime Minister Philip Davis has failed the Bahamian people and foreign investor hotel owners on reducing crimes that will have a severe impact on tourism that is responsible for 85% of the Bahamas’ revenue.

In the 1980s, Miami, Florida’s high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes severely damaged Florida’s eight billion dollar tourism industry when criminals and gangs started robbing tourists. In the 1980s, Jamaica had a high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes. The US State Department issuing a warning to American citizens that Jamaica had a high crime rate that resulted in destroying the Jamaican tourism industry and causing the Jamaican dollar devaluation. This is what also can now happen in The Bahamas. This country’s financial image and reputation has also been damaged by the FTX crypto company Sam Bankman Fried’s 11 billion dollar bankruptcy and now again being damaged as a safe place for American, Canadian and European tourists to travel because of the high crime rate, murders, robberies and rapes.

I have a comprehensive crime reduction and prevention plan to protect tourists, and Bahamians’ lives and properties. I am now asking for church leaders, business owners and the Bahamian people to join Pedro Smith and BFP Party to become the next Prime Minister of The Bahamas and government. I highly recommend and advise the Bahamian people who have lost confidence and hope in the current Prime Minister and the PLP government to demand early elections to vote for a new Prime Minister and government. I am ready and prepared to lead The Bahamas and the Bahamian people to a greater and better Bahamas. Pedro Smith as the next Prime Minister of The Bahamas and government. Help is on the way soon. One Nation, One people, One Bahamas and One God onward forward and upward to a better future for the Bahamian people, children and grandchildren.

PEDRO SMITH

Nassau,

January 31, 2024.