The Facts About Crime in The Bahamas

What is Safe Bahamas?

The Birth of the Safe Bahamas Initiative.

The Role of Safe Bahamas in the Fight Against Crime

The Management Structure

The Nuts & Bolts:
How Will it Work?

The Search for Answers

Two years ago, a group of concerned citizens met to explore solutions to our nation's crime problem. Recognizing that a number of well-intended community-led efforts to reduce crime started and failed in the past, they took a thoughtful and deliberate approach toward researching the problem and exploring solutions. A Steering Committee was formed to formulate a plan of action.

They researched models throughout the world to learn how communities have successfully tackled their crime problem.They culled the good work and thinking of other Bahamians as outlined in documents such as the National Commission on Crime Report and the Consultative Committee on National Youth Development Report led by Archbishop Gomez.

Input was received from a cross-section of well over 200 individuals from all walks of our community ­ including concerned citizens from churches, neighbourhoods, unions, government, business, the hospitality industry and civic organizations.

Conclusions

Crime is the nation’s most pressing problem and must be addressed by the community in an organised and collaborative manner. To succeed, any initiative must be:

• Community-led and community driven,
• Sustainable and committed to the long-haul,
• Non-political, with clear support of Government and Police,
• Addressing both the enforcement and prevention aspects, including the fundamental, underlying causes of crime,
• Accountable and transparent to all stakeholders.