Most newly-weds love nothing better than spending the first few weeks of married life in an exotic location and no region is more exotic than the Caribbean Islands. But as you and I know, it only takes one tragedy to put our livelihood at risk. This week saw the dreams of one couple shattered, leaving the new bride dead and her husband fighting for his life in hospital in Antigua. Condolences to the grieving families of this couple.

The media need to be less biased in their portrayal of the level of crime in the Caribbean. Tourists need to be as Safety Consciousness as they are when at home. As I scanned the on-line papers my heart sank when I saw our country's place on this list http://http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/centralamericaandcaribbean/2473423/Antigua-honeymoon-murder-Beware-the-perils-of-paradise.html I knew The Bahamas would feature on it somewhere but was hoping it came amongst the Lower Risk Countries. This journalist deemed it to be amongst the Higher Risk countries. I wonder if she even visited The Bahamas to see for herself just how safe it is for tourists.

It is extremely rare for tourists to be murdered in the Caribbean because most of the homicides tend to involve native young men, and when they do occur the Police deals with these cases as a matter of urgency as it is the livelihood of the entire nation at stake. I do wish the media would report some of the more positive occurences in our Islands and not always focus only on the rare negative. I feel far safer in Nassau than I do in any of the foreign cities I have visited, and in fact when I have to visit any of them, I never venture out after dark.

i feel as safe in nassau as i would be in a prison or ghetto in america - people gettin stab and beaten every day many times a day, things rough. Dont worry bout homicide numbers cause most are never reported to us, or arent listed as homicides, and attempted murder (stabbings etc) is bad too. I dont know how long you been away, but nassau is one dangerous lawless city. Kids is be throwing rocks at people all over the place too.

Nassa u is no worse or more dangerous than any small American city. Tourists are perfectly safe if they stay in the better areas after dark.I would think anyplace on Paradise Island and most of Bay Street is fine for tourists.

Most of our guests are white and easy to recognise.Wat the news media needs to print is that 99.9% of us would never think of being rude to a tourist neva mind harm one.

Nassa u is no worse or more dangerous than any small American city. Tourists are perfectly safe if they stay in the better areas after dark.I would think anyplace on Paradise Island and most of Bay Street is fine for tourists.

No more worse than any American Ghetto - violent society.
I feel much safer in New York (not the ghettos where most bahamians is go) then I do in Nassau.

Fine for tourists, bad for bahamians cause they stay gettin rob and stab and shoot round them places too.


Most of our guests are white and easy to recognise.Wat the news media needs to print is that 99.9% of us would never think of being rude to a tourist neva mind harm one.

and yet white bahamians are treated like dirt.
:bouncy::bouncy:

Most newly-weds love nothing better than spending the first few weeks of married life in an exotic location and no region is more exotic than the Caribbean Islands. But as you and I know, it only takes one tragedy to put our livelihood at risk.

I wonder if she even visited The Bahamas to see for herself just how safe it is for tourists.

It is extremely rare for tourists to be murdered in the Caribbean because most of the homicides tend to involve native young men, and when they do occur the Police deals with these cases as a matter of urgency as it is the livelihood of the entire nation at stake. I do wish the media would report some of the more positive occurences in our Islands and not always focus only on the rare negative. I feel far safer in Nassau than I do in any of the foreign cities I have visited, and in fact when I have to visit any of them, I never venture out after dark.

Good post/comments, Cynthia. I fully agree with you.

and yet white bahamians are treated like dirt.
:bouncy::bouncy:
Huh?

On another note, I was surprised that we have had 75 REPORTED rapes in the country already for the year. We keep close track of the murders and attempted murders. but violence against women is off the charts. Very disturbing.

Huh?
On another note, I was surprised that we have had 75 REPORTED rapes in the country already for the year. We keep close track of the murders and attempted murders. but violence against women is off the charts. Very disturbing.Think about the amount that go unreported.... sad in deed.....

Nassa u is no worse or more dangerous than any small American city. Tourists are perfectly safe if they stay in the better areas after dark.I would think anyplace on Paradise Island and most of Bay Street is fine for tourists.
Most of our guests are white and easy to recognise.Wat the news media needs to print is that 99.9% of us would never think of being rude to a tourist neva mind harm one.I think that this is something that UK citizens are putting out.. I heard this yesterday on the BBC....there are carribean people who are killed in the UK and the US all the time... not one single word.... it is like the death toll in Iraq for US troops are counted and the death toll for the citizens of Iraq are not even mentioned.... what a strange world we live in A ????

When I tried to get the link, even though I took out the extra 'http', it's not working. Anyone see the listing?

When I tried to get the link, even though I took out the extra 'http', it's not working. Anyone see the listing?You may want to go to the BBC carribean report....

This may help.....http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2008/07/080730_antiguashootingwed.shtml

I think that this is something that UK citizens are putting out.. I heard this yesterday on the BBC....there are carribean people who are killed in the UK and the US all the time... not one single word.... it is like the death toll in Iraq for US troops are counted and the death toll for the citizens of Iraq are not even mentioned.... what a strange world we live in A ????

Absolutely!

It's still BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS....!!!

I had a guest from New York told me that he felt safer in the Bronx than in Nassau. I was like say what??? I feel safe in my own country because I grew up here and know where to go and where I should not go. Tourists wanna be all up in Kemp Road 12 am. What they there for???

You are correct there Asterz, I know where to visit after dark in Nassau but the tourist haven't that local knowledge and should listen to advice given to them by their Reps. When anyone is visiting an unfamiliar city/town it is common sense to stick to the beaten track until you become more comfortable with it. A few years ago the same was being reported of Florida, ie it is was dangerous for tourists. The BBC had a very extensive campaign warning Britons to 'Follow the Sun' when in Florida or they could end up car-jacked etc. That is tantamount to terrorism IMHO, and it had resulted in a decline of UK visitors to Florida for that season. Unfair reporting can cause a down-turn in the economy in countries where tourism is the major industry.
Whatsayu what you heard on TV is correct. There has been a spate of murders in some of the cities but mainly in London involving youths with knives, and there too the unfair reporting of crime came into play. They would barely mention the death of teenagers of caribbean decent on the News, but death of the indigenous population would be given far more aire time as if it is a far greater tragedy. A death of a child is a serious matter no matter race, creed, colour as far as I am concerned.
This could be an appropriate moment for those whose job it is to promote Tourism to get their wheels in motion and start Hard selling the Bahamas. I know the RBPF are working hard to crack down on the level of crime as it is. Also, rather than the church leaders (CoE in particular) worry about same sex relationships, they could pool their resources and try and be positive role models for the young people and provide them with viable options to replace their gang culture.

Sorry about the link. I am quite new to all of this so I am learning as I go. I will have to ask one of my girls to show me how to add a link to a post. Thanks for understanding. BTW I love this site