|
September 26, 2007: Police in the Bahamas released
figures on Monday which showed a 41 percent increase in
murders so far for 2007 compared to the same period last
year. The toll which now stands at 55, was 16 fewer at the
same time in 2006. Of these the police report that, thus
far, 75% have been solved. Police also say that handguns
were used in 53% murders.
Chief Superintendent Hulan Hanna said "We believe that
this may have been one of those years where people just did
not handle their conflicts properly. Conflicts and
confrontations represent the largest amount of motives as
they relate to murders – 34 %,".
Assistant Superintendent of Police Clayton Fernander
reported that 45 (81%) of the 55 murders occurred in New
Providence, location of the Capital Nassau and home to
212,432 residents, 69.66% of the Bahamian population.
A further 8 (15%) were committed in Grand Bahama, location
of the second city Freeport and home to 46,954 persons
representing 15.40% of the population. 2 murders also
occurred in Eleuthera, location of the first Capital
Governor's Harbour and home to 8,114 people, the fourth most
populous island in the archipelagic country of 304, 913
(2000 census).
According to Mr. Fernander, the highest number of murders –
10 – occurred in March.
Four of the country’s murder victims in 2007 were juveniles,
and most murders in 2007 occurred in
residential communities. |
