NASSAU, The Bahamas – Education, enhanced policy, the criminal justice system and the mobilization of cutting edge technology are central to preventing and addressing crime.  Focusing on these key areas, says Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, would better secure homes, streets and businesses in the country.   Prime Minister Minnis made the statement while delivery of his second live report to the nation for 2019 on the evening of Monday, March 25.

“After many years of increasing crime rates, our neighborhoods are getting safer, and more secure.  We are safer and more secure because of our comprehensive approach to policing,” said the Prime Minister.  “But we still have plenty [of] work to do. We have a long way to go. But we are making strides in the fight against crime. There have been reductions in serious crimes, like murder, armed robbery and shop breaking.”

According to the Prime Minister, in 2018, there was a 25% decrease in the murder rate, an 18% decrease in armed robberies, and a 23% decrease in unlawful sexual offences. He said, however, despite these reductions in the criminal activity, more steps must be taken to reduce crime even further.

One such step is that currently more police officers are patrolling the streets than pinned at a desk. He said that the manpower audit has also assisted in causing the force to redirect personnel in the fight against crime.

“The Royal Bahamas Police Force attributed the decrease in crime to increased police visibility and to geo-referenced based monitoring for the strategic deployment of police officers,” he said. “ In 2018, 100 newly appointed police officers were deployed throughout the agency to provide additional manpower to assist with the overall management of crime on New Providence.”

Prime Minister Minnis stated that approximately 130 new recruits are expected to be trained this year -- 100 from New Providence and 30 from Grand Bahama. The government will also purchase 90 new vehicles for the police force.

Last year, 1213 law enforcement officers were trained and retrained.  This included:

• 794 Police Officers
• 134 Police Recruits
• 41 Bahamas Customs Officers
• 12 Immigration Officers
• 9 Bahamas Department of Correctional Officers
• 4 Royal Bahamas Defence Force Marines
• 9 Security Officers and
• 210 Civilians from the National Neighborhood Watch Council

He said that since the establishment of the National Neighbourhood Watch Council (NNWC), in May 2018, there has been an overwhelming response by communities to formalise and to equip their respective watch groups with the necessary training.

“At the end of February there were a total of 92 neighbourhood watch groups; 80 in New Providence, and 12 in Grand Bahama,” said the Prime Minister. “Two hundred and sixty-nine persons graduated from the National Neighbourhood Watch Council training programs, in 2018.”

He said that every effort must be made to ensure that The Bahamas is safe and secure. This, he believes, includes innovative and modern crime fighting technology. As a result, there are plans to install an additional 507 CCTV cameras throughout New Providence this year.  This will bring the total, to 750 CCTV cameras. 

In addition, a contract was awarded in late January 2019, for the installation of 100 shotspotters in high crime areas.  Shotspotter technology increases the ability of police to more quickly respond to gun-related crime.  Shotspotter technology, is “an advanced system of sensors, algorithms, and artificial intelligence, [used] to detect, locate and alert police to gunfire.”

A national drone program is also being built, which will aid in the detection and prevention of crime. It is expected to be operational in New Providence this year.  This program will also assist with border control, and in other areas of national security.

“We are also reviewing, other crime fighting technologies such as body cams, and dash cams, for law enforcement officers,” he said.

In the fight against illegal migration, the Prime Minister sated that there are plans to install land-based radar in Inagua in the Southern Bahamas. He said that this multi-layered security approach would also include drones and vessels.

“We are also improving our operational guidance capacity by engaging regional intelligence networks, inclusive, of the United States of America, the Republic of Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands,” he said.

Another facet of the crime fight is to reduce the rate of re-offending, he said.  And, for this aspect, the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS), has increased the number of participants in personal development programs and employability opportunities through the Work Release Programs. 

One hundred and twenty-four inmates, both male and female, graduated from BTVI concentrating in subjects such as auto mechanics, barbering, carpentry, computers, electrical work, garment making, plumbing and masonry.  Seven correctional officers enrolled at BTVI to become certified instructors of inmates in the aforementioned subjects.

Renovations and repairs are also being made to the maximum-security facility at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.  He pointed out that a new rehabilitative dormitory and kitchen will be completed this year.

A more extensive needs and feasibility assessment is also being carried out for building an additional facility to house training and rehabilitative programs for more inmates.

“These initiatives are a part of a broader strategy to help inmates to become better equipped with the necessary tools to re-enter society while lessening the risk of re-offending,” said Prime Minister Minnis.