National

24 Murders In 36 Days: How Did We Get Here?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Police making it clear they want to clamp down on crime. But despite launching a series of tactics, the murder count continues to climb.

Published

9 months ago

February 5, 2024

Jasmin Brown

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Police making it clear they want to clamp down on crime. But despite launching a series of tactics, the murder count continues to head further into the double digits.

Since January 1st, there have been 24 murders – 22 in New Providence, one in Abaco and one in Grand Bahama.

And the violence has been shocking.

Take for instance the first homicide for the year, when a son allegedly stabbed his father to death in an upscale gated community in western New Providence.

Three days later, a couple was shot and killed during a brazen daylight drive-by shooting on Prince Charles Drive and on January 7th, a 16-year-old girl was shot and killed in Nassau Village.

Then there was the fatal shooting of a grandmother on January 11 through Lily of the Valley Corner. A toddler was also injured by the gunman.

While those incidents were shocking authorities say suspects on bail make up the majority of victims this year – a trend that has spilled over from 2023.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander has made it clear he’s no fan of the current bail laws.

The Davis administration has since tabled legislation to amend the current Bail Act.

But what’s fueling the crime? Gangs.

In a national address on January 15th, Prime Minister Philip Davis insisted they won’t be tolerated.

Two days later, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe told the Nassau Guardian that crime was down 20 percent last year.

For Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard the numbers mean very little.