Crime in the Bahamas

[SEVEN]

Kind of makes me appreciate the good ol USA even more when I read about this stuff. I have cruised
in the Bahamas but it was years ago and it was safe except for the drug dealers. I would think long and
hard about doing it today...especially since it's near impossible to defend yourself (with a gun or other
type of weapon) without getting into deep trouble. I strongly believe that if boat owners were encouraged
to be armed (at least like in the US) the low life criminal types would think twice about their career choice
and tourism would increase. Oh well, what do I know, I'm just an old dinosaur.

Walt

I agree totally Walt.

[SKYCHENEY]

That's what I like about Canada. You're more likely to get mauled by a bear, then to be a victim of crime.

[Boatsb]

That's what I like about Canada. You're more likely to get mauled by a bear, then to be a victim of crime.

Canada is catching up.

https://torontoist.com/2016/04/afric...on-population/

[SKYCHENEY]

Canada is catching up.

https://torontoist.com/2016/04/afric...on-population/

I was thinking maybe my experience is different because where I go I never see an actual person.

DSC00328.jpg

[Colwyn D]

I meant crime is everywhere. I try to be aware of my environment and act accordingly. I meet the nicest people while afloat both here and in the US, the only crime I've
experienced, having someone come onboard, was in Florida. I find the bahamas as safe as anywhere else I visit.

[motoryacht lover]

I meant crime is everywhere. I try to be aware of my environment and act accordingly. I meet the nicest people while afloat both here and in the US, the only crime I've
experienced, having someone come onboard, was in Florida. I find the bahamas as safe as anywhere else I visit.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Pascal]

Kind of makes me appreciate the good ol USA even more when I read about this stuff. I have cruised
in the Bahamas but it was years ago and it was safe except for the drug dealers. I would think long and
hard about doing it today...especially since it's near impossible to defend yourself (with a gun or other
type of weapon) without getting into deep trouble. I strongly believe that if boat owners were encouraged
to be armed (at least like in the US) the low life criminal types would think twice about their career choice
and tourism would increase. Oh well, what do I know, I'm just an old dinosaur.

Walt

The Bahamas (besides Grand Bahamas and New Providence) are one of the safest cruising area. You simply do not need weapons. I have never heard of any incident besides an occasional dinghy theft BIM has had a few problems, drug related, but not the Exumas.

One thing which is changing is increased patrolling by the Bahamian Defense Force and crack down on illegal weapons, visa overstay, boats not clearing in as well as unlicensed charter. In the last couple of years guests flying in have often told me about immigration asking questions about the name of the boat and whether it s a charter. I ve heard reports of authorities actually going to check on foreign boat charter licenses

[Fanfare]

I have been going to the Bahamas all my life. We rarely take Fanfare to Nassau, Bimini or Freeport. We are just not into the casino stuff (who can win when the house is guaranteed a 2% cut on each hand?) These cities have become crime magnets similar to NYC in the US. You just have to be a little more careful about what you are doing there. We just avoid the unsavory tourist spots because they tend to attract the wrong kind of people and then stuff happens.

Meanwhile, in the smaller towns of the out islands you will be safe and welcomed. I haven't had anything stolen in decades (That was the top half of my SSB antenna, stolen while in storage at a marina--and I doubt that a Bahamian took it!)

During the day we keep our doors and windows open whether we are there or not. If going out for the evening I lock the doors but I don't bother with the windows. We leave our bicycles unlocked around town. I started carrying firearms in the 1970s at the height of the drug trade. I see no danger of this nowadays. I don't recall loading my guns in the last three years.

I have been a lot of places in my life. The Bahamas are only 50 miles from Miami, yet is a foreign country with its own idiosyncrasies and quirks. The beaches are the best. Navigation is simple once mastering visual pilotage. The people are welcoming and helpful. Meeting other boaters is a continuing treat. In places such as the Abacos each town is just a couple miles from another, yet each has its own individual flavor.

We raised our children and now our grandchildren while cruising the Bahamian out islands. It is safe for them to walk into town, buy ice cream, go to the beach. I think they are safer in the Bahamas, in the places we frequent, than they are at home in the USA. So don't stay away. There are not that many places left in the world that have the benefits of foreign travel in such an accessible and beautiful place. It really is "Better in the Bahamas."

[Walter P]

Thanks Jim and Pascal for your remarks..... I'm actually very happy to hear that it is safe there.

Jim, Just for clarification... New York City has become one of the safest cities in the world. It started
with Rudy Guliani and has continued to get safer every year. There are many reasons for this which
would make this post too long. May I suggest that you use Chicago as an example of a high crime city.

Walt

[dottieshusband]

I'm currently in Spanish Wells, and a finer place you will not find. We witnessed the latest murder in Freeport..outside Molly Malone's in Port LuCaya.. crowded tourist market area, 11.00ish..popped in the head 3 times, and walked away. 3rd one this year..local thug, and folks said he wouldn't be missed. We were in Nassau last week, Hurricane Hole, felt perfectly safe. It's like everywhere else, be careful where you go, stay in a group, stay sober, be vigilant..