Deputy Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander yesterday expressed concern over the impact of violent crime in The Bahamas on the tourism industry, as he urged the public to cooperate with the police. He made the comments when asked about a recent advisory from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, which cautioned U.S. residents about crime levels on New Providence

Fernander cited a recent incident at a golf course during which several tourists were robbed.

Fernander did not provide details about the incident.

“We are very concerned,” he said during a press conference.

“That is our bread and butter. Tourism is our bread and butter. So, every right-thinking Bahamian should be very concerned about that.

“And if they know who the culprit is with respect to that recent matter at the golf course, they should turn him in and turn him in now, because that is our bread and butter.

“If the tourists stop coming, then we are finished. And we will not stand by and let a handful of individuals destroy our country.

“And Bahamian people have to understand, we may say they are the criminals who are killing up one another.

“No, the picture is bigger than that. It’s a country that they are destroying.

“It’s the country. It’s a bigger picture. So, that’s why every right-thinking Bahamian’s hands should be on board.

“And the ones who are not right-thinking should still be on board because they have to live here. We have nowhere to go.

“… So, we have to pay attention to that. And we will not stand by, as an organization and the Bahamian people should be on board with us to ensure that we put those persons behind bars.

“So, anyone who is listening this afternoon who may know who that individual is, give them up.”

In an alert sent out on April 20, the U.S. Embassy in Nassau raised concern over recent armed robberies and an increase in homicides on New Providence.

“The U.S. Embassy in Nassau advises U.S. citizens to exercise vigilance due to an increase in reported violent crime on New Providence Island (Nassau),” it said.

“Over the past month, tourists have reported to the embassy four armed robberies.

“These armed robberies occurred both in areas frequented by tourists, as well as on-site or in the vicinity of short-term vacation rental properties without private security.

“In recent months, there has also been an increase in homicides that are primarily gang-related and affecting the local population in areas of Nassau generally not frequented by tourists.”

In the past few months, homicide numbers have been notably higher than those seen in recent years.

Fernander said yesterday that police are working diligently to crack down on violent crime, noting that a major operation has led to nearly 200 arrests in recent weeks.

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