The growing global problem of internet child pornography has taken off in the Bahamas according to police statistics – which show that one illicit video got 5,000 Bahamian hits in the first hour it was published online.
This figure was revealed yesterday by police co-ordinator for the Urban Renewal Project Keith Bell.
The clipping, which was shown at an Urban Renewal conference for church leaders, showed an eight year-old being sexually molested.
“The problem of fighting crime will become more challenging. This demands that we must become innovative in developing preventative, well researched approaches to crime fighting,” Mr Bell said.
“Urban renewal must lead the way, as the significant changes in crime will not be in the scope of
crime, but rather in the changing nature and complexion of crime having regard to modern technology.”
During his address to the conference, Mr Bell gave a breakdown of the various crimes that occur in the Bahamas. He also related disturbing police stories, such as the recent discovery of a hole beneath a house which was used for the practice of black magic.
Obeah House
“Here in New Providence when we went in this particular house, there was a 30-foot hole beneath the house. When we got in the house, raised up the floor, we went down in this hole, and of course all of the witch craft and Obeah – including I think a skull,” he recounted.
He said that the police force has categorised criminals into four groupings: the old guard, or hardened blue collar criminals; the new guard, or young blue collar offenders; the foreign groupings; and criminal gangs or enterprises.
He said that most criminals are between the ages of 16 to 35 years old, are Bahamian males, and are likely to live or offend in an area where the government has placed an Urban Renewal office.
They are usually from middle to lower class backgrounds and are often repeat offenders, he said.
Since the implementation of the Urban Renewal Programme, the police have seized a number of firearms, recovered stolen vehicles and have made a number of arrests.
“The Urban Renewal is crucial to our further development as a country. Problems that once went unnoticed or unabated are now being tackled,” said Mr Bell.
Project
He also told church leaders about the role they can play in the project, urging them to produce a comprehensive document outlining church programmes and activities and to plead with their congregation to disclose information on crime and criminals.
By TIFFANY GRANT Tribune Staff Reporter
