Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU71
2006-01-13 16:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

BAHAMAS - CRIME STATISTICS AND TRENDS

Tags:  ASEC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000071 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: BAHAMAS - CRIME STATISTICS AND TRENDS

REF: SECSTATE 228796


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000071

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: BAHAMAS - CRIME STATISTICS AND TRENDS

REF: SECSTATE 228796



1. (SBU) Statistics from the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) just
released show that during 2005 there has been a 10 per cent increase in
serious crime recorded in Nassau, with increasing figures reported for
murder, armed robbery, attempted robbery and unlawful sexual assaults.
Serious crime has also increased by 33 percent in Grand Bahama, a
constituent post, which also has Customs and Border Protection and DEA
personnel who fall under Chief of Mission authority. The fastest
growing
trend in Nassau and Grand Bahama, according to figures released by the
RBPF on January 9, 2005, is hit style killings. Statistical information
has shown a 15 per cent increase in the total amount of murders
recorded
from 44 in 2004 to 52 in 2005, of which several hit style killings were
carried out to intimidate individuals from acting as witnesses in
court.


2. (SBU) During 2005, many establishments frequented by Embassy
employees
and tourist from the United States have been robbed by armed
individuals.
This trend continues, during the evening of 7 January 2006, the City
Market grocery store was robbed by two armed thieves. The store is an
American style facility located in a large tourist section of Nassau
known
as Cable Beach. The store is also typically the sole grocery store used
by
USG personnel. Two masked gunmen entered the store around 1900 hours
demanding money. Upon taking an undetermined amount of money, the men
escaped in a white Nissan Sentra. The Police were called to the scene
and
minutes later, observed a vehicle fitting the description of the
getaway
car and gave chase. An exchange of gunfire between the suspects and
police
occurred in a quiet residential neighborhood. One of the suspects was
shot
in the upper back area and died at the scene. Police indicated the
suspected who was fatally shot was also wearing a bullet proof vest.
The
second suspect escaped, and the Police have launched an island wide
manhunt for this individual, which they have yet to locate.


3. (SBU) Crime Statistics in Nassau:

Crimes Against Person 2005/YTD 2004/YTD %CHANGE

Murder 52
44 15
Attempted Murder 0
0 0
Manslaughter 2
2 0
Rape 80
86 -7
Attempted Rape 23
31 -26
Unlawful Sexual Intercourse 189 183 3
Armed Robbery 782
659 16
Robbery 198
200 -1
Attempted Robbery 28
18 36

SUB-TOTAL 1354
1223 10

Crimes Against Property 2005/YTD 2004/YTD %CHANGE
Burglary 252
188 25
Housebreaking 2228
1997 10
Shop breaking 1343
1463 -8
Stealing 1483
3793 -62
Stealing From Vehicles 720 1688
-57
Stolen Vehicle 846
7171 15

SUB-TOTAL 6827
9846 -31

TOTAL 8181
11,069 -26


4. (SBU) The Regional Security Office is closely working with the Royal
Bahamas Police Force on these issues and has stressed the growing
concern
of the above mentioned patterns, especially during this upcoming Spring
Break season. During Spring Break sexual assaults against American
tourist
are extremely high. The Regional Security Office has also stressed this
growing pattern of violent to Embassy personnel, reminding employees to
always be vigilant about their surroundings.
HARDT