Nassau, Bahamas — Murders in The Bahamas increased 30 percent between January 1st and October 7th, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
There were 90 murders recorded during this period last year, compared to the 117 murders recorded this year.
The murder count does not include several matters that have yet to be classified.
The latest killing occurred on Thursday when a 29-year-old man was shot dead.
Acknowledging that The Bahamas is faced with an “extraordinary development” regarding murders, Prime Minister Perry Christie said last month that the government will have to answer to the Bahamian public for its record on crime.
Since May 7th, 2012, when the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government was elected, 429 murders have been recorded in The Bahamas.
Between May 7th and December 31st, 2012, there were 70 murders.
In 2013, there were 119 murders.
In 2014, there were 123 murders.
In 2012, Christie, then opposition leader, said, “When it comes to crime, they (the Ingraham administration) have been miserable failures.
“If you’re looking for real and lasting solutions to this crime problem, there’s only one party that has a comprehensive and viable plan for fighting crime, and that party is the PLP.”
Christie also said the PLP had the answers and the will to address crime.
But three years into the PLP’s term, there has been no appreciable decrease in crime.
Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade recently begged for help in the fight against crime.
He warned that if people in power don’t provide that support, the police would “continue to pick up dead bodies”.
Greenslade said the police are “working like crazy” to keep the criminals behind bars, but added that the country “cannot arrest ourselves out of this” problem.