A comparative analysis of crime statistics shows that despite reports from some senior police officials, to the contrary, the number of cases of crimes in every major category so far for the year is higher than last year.
The categories, which fall under ‘Crimes Against The Person’, include murder, rape, armed robbery, and robbery.
The analysis shows that there have been 13 more murders up to October 21, 2005 compared to the same period last year.
Police reported that they have been able to solve 76 percent of the 41 murders committed up to October 21 this year. Up to that date in 2004, they said they had solved 68 percent of the 28 murders that had been committed.
Twenty-five of the 41 murders up to October 21, 2005 were recorded in New Providence; 12 were recorded in Grand Bahama and four were recorded on other islands.
Officials also said that there were 82 reported rapes between January 1, 2005 and October 21, 2005. Police said they have so far been able to solve 33 percent of them.
Of the 82 rapes reported this year, 67 allegedly occurred in New Providence; 17 allegedly occurred in Grand Bahama; and three were recorded on other Family Islands.
During the same time period in 2004, police said 73 rapes were reported and 58 were solved.
Police said they have so far only been able to solve 12 percent of the 602 armed robberies for 2005. During the nearly 10 month-long period in 2004, 560 armed robberies were recorded and 22 percent was solved.
The vast majority of armed robberies this year – 538 – were recorded in New Providence; 64 were recorded in Grand Bahama; and none was recorded in any other Family Islands.
Police also provided figures on general robberies, saying 161 were recorded up to October 21, 2005 and 14 percent was solved. During the same period in 2004, 149 robberies were recorded and 15 percent was solved.
Collectively, there were 886 cases of these crimes recorded up to October 21, 2005, compared to 810 cases last year, police said.
Week before last, Assistant Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson said that there was no need to be alarmed over crime.
“I think when we get successful in dealing with matters and bring things under control for a while people get a little complacent and then as soon as something happens it seems to be out of the norm,” Mr. Ferguson said.
“We’ve had our challenges. We have some problems in the eastern area, but we have been effectively dealing with that situation up there. It does not persist.”
He said what is occurring is “not what I would describe as out of the ordinary”.
“Traditionally, around this time of year what may appear to be an upsurge in criminal activity happens from time to time, but we have put strategies in place to deal with these situations and get them under control,” Mr. Ferguson added.
In an even more recent interview with The Bahama Journal, Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson said he recognized that there is a pervasive fear of crime in the country.
“Particularly this question of murder; it’s a very, very heinous crime and a murder that occurs certainly will cause people to be concerned and of course to be frightened,” Mr. Farquharson said.
“I say that you should go about your normal business, but you must be wise.”
He urged all citizens to be extremely vigilant in their day-to-day activities.
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
