“What we are trying to do and have got in motion now is to bring all of those agencies under one roof with a comprehensive plan to advance some prevention against these matters and we’re working very closely with the Ministry of Tourism, the U.S. Embassy and the Chamber of Commerce on this issue,” Mr. Farquharson said in a recent interview with The Bahama Journal at his office on East Hill Street.
He stressed that police are concerned about all crimes, but also pointed out that crimes against tourists have serious implications.
“Crimes that are committed by Bahamians or anyone for that matter against our tourists are certainly a threat to our bread and butter and we are extremely concerned as a police force,” Mr. Farquharson said.
“We hope that if something happens it is dealt with very professionally and very quickly. We note that matters that were dealt with in the past took quite a bit of time. For example, if a rape occurred and a person was caught or taken into custody by the police it took a long time to get those matters through the courts.”
He said, “I think all Bahamians have a duty to make sure that the tourists who come to this Bahamas remain safe and ensure that an environment is conducive to their enjoyment and whatever fun they want to have in The Bahamas.”
Just recently, United States Ambassador to The Bahamas John Rood, who was quoted in a Florida press report, raised concerns about rapes against tourists.
Mr. Farquharson said he understands such concerns and the police are determined to address them.
“We have a very good relationship with the embassy staff,” he said. “Every incident that occurs that concerns the tourists, envoys are informed immediately.”
The police recently released data that indicated that between 2000 and 2004, there were 546 rapes reported in The Bahamas. Out of these cases, 49 involved victims who were visitors to The Bahamas, which represented approximately 9 percent of all rapes reported to the police during this time period.
The statistics also show that the majority of these rapes occurred during spring break and most of the victims had attended a local nightclub and had been consuming alcohol before the incidents.
Most of them, according to the police, had also willingly left those locations with the assailants before they were assaulted.
Commenting generally on the crime situation, Mr. Farquharson also said police leaders in the east and west of New Providence have increased patrols and have also urged residents to form or reactivate crime watch associations.
“The officers are out trying to make sure that the environments remain safe,” he assured. “I don’t think we can stop all of the murders, especially the domestic ones. We only wish we could be in the house when tempers flare and lovers get mad with each other and for one reason or the other stab and kill one another because of love.”
He also commented on the recent murder in the Waterloo Nightclub where five young men allegedly attacked and stabbed another young man.
“I don’t wish to comment totally on that because this matter is still before the court,” Mr. Farquharson said, “but that is a senseless act where people are out in a club enjoying themselves and resort to violence and it is all among young men.
“This is totally unacceptable and it’s a concern for the whole family. It proves that the home environment where these youngsters emanate from did not do a good job.”
The police commissioner also informed that only recently three eight year-olds were involved in a stabbing incident at the Stephen Dillet Primary School.
He said such matters are a cause for grave concern and assured that the police force is giving them high priority.
From: The Bahama Journal
