Crime in the Bahamas

[motoryacht lover]

I wanted to get opinions from the forum about whether the crime situation in the Bahamas is reaching the point where one shouldn’t go. I have been to the Bahamas about 7 times now. Typically avoid Nassau and Freeport except to drop someone off for a flight or a quick fill up. The State Dept (??) has issued an upgraded warning for employees not to go to certain parts of Nassau. Then a Bahamian newspaper is reporting that there have been 3 murders in Freeport since the beginning of 2018. I also read in that same article that the new prime minister mentioned contemplating resuming hangings. If I was slick enough with the computer I would attach the state dept notice and the newspaper article. The crime in Freeport and Nassau is not new news. I have always avoided those two places. What is concerning is there has been a rash of home robberies and boat thefts on and around Elbow Cay in the Abacos. So after all of that do you guys think that the islands of the Exumas including Georgetown and Eluethera are relatively safe to visit. Would love to go back to the Abacos but will wait to see if things settle down some between now and next June. Thanks for your time.

 

[SEVEN]

I think you answered your own question. No one can recommend going anywhere and be safe in today’s world. You cruise where you feel comfortable and carry a bigger gun with lots of rounds.

 

[Boatsb]

You can not cary a gun in the bahamas. You need to be ahead of the bad guys and in places where there's good security.

In some areas of higher crime you can got to the more exp3nsive marinas and resorts with security in florida. I'm sure there's similar places in the bahamas.

Yes they cost more but what would you expect?

 

[motoryacht lover]

https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...eladvisories/the-bahamas-travel-advisory.html

 

[Colwyn D]

At anchor in Georgetown last week and bonefishing around Great Exuma now, travelling by car. Crime, really. Of course there are some ***soles here but also the very best of people. Where is this not the case?

 

[SEVEN]

You can not cary a gun in the bahamas. You need to be ahead of the bad guys and in places where there's good security.

In some areas of higher crime you can got to the more exp3nsive marinas and resorts with security in florida. I'm sure there's similar places in the bahamas.

Yes they cost more but what would you expect?

I meant on your boat.

 

[motoryacht lover]

At anchor in Georgetown last week and bonefishing around Great Exuma now, travelling by car. Crime, really. Of course there are some ***soles here but also the very best of people. Where is this not the case?

You say “crime, really” which makes me think you find my concern ridiculous. Maybe you don’t mean that. I tried to make it clear that it was the apparent increase in crime that has me concerned. When our government upgrades a warning, that leads me to believe that the situation is getting worse. You make it sound as if crime is the same everywhere because everywhere has ***soles. So one should feel just as safe in downtown Chicago as one would feel in downtown Palm Beach.

 

[Pascal]

We spend a lot of time on the Bahamas.

We don't go to Freeport but NAS we don't go anywhere past sundown and even during the day we re careful If we anchor (usually by Atholl) we lock the doors at night.

We spend most of of the time in the Exuma and crime isn't a problem. Not it is in the berrys. We don't lock the doors and never worry. I have never heard on an incident there.

Gtown has had the occasional issue with stolen tender or outboard. We typically bring the tende back onboard.

We often anchor in empty anchorages and never worry

 

[motoryacht lover]

Thank you all for your responses. Pascal I was hoping you would chime in.

 

[Walter P]

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

 

[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/african-canadian-prison-population/

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Canada is catching up.

https://torontoist.com/2016/04/african-canadian-prison-population/

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

 

[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..