BAHAMAS: What says Weber Shandwick about crime and corruption?

US and Britain Issue Bahamas Travel Warnings: Both governments warn travelers that the Bahamas is not a safe place.

As the Americans have done it in the past the US Department of State recomend that specially students travelling in groups should take note to be extremely aware of their surroundings at all times.

The advisory also warns travelers not walk alone in isolated areas or after dark. Be particularly cautious on secluded beaches. And when traveling, use only clearly marked busses or taxis, the advisory cautioned. Students should avoid being alone with a group of strangers.

Bahamas Consult also recommends to be careful on the way to a nightclub or when you come out of discos at night. We have a real crime problem here in Nassau. The US statement cautioned American citizens to stay away from drug peddlers, and advised against accepting packages from people during their stay Visitors found alone or incapacitated have been victims of rape, robbery and assault. Intoxicated young women have been sexually assaulted after reportedly being drugged.

About the development of a deepening crime problem in The Bahamas reports a local psychologist, Dr. David Allen. Robbers who shoot their victims even after they have handed over cash and jewellery appears to be part of a disturbing crime trend, he warned. "Usually they get what they want and leave you alone, now they get what they want and will still kill you“, he said and believes that the rob-and-kill trend is connected to the drug culture, where guns are used to protect drugs like cocaine. He is calling on the country's leaders - political, community and religious - to act now before the crime problem becomes like the issue of immigration.

Another concern for police is a trend seen among licensed shot guns. Burglars are targeting homes with shotguns, stealing them from homeowners, modifying them (sawing off the tips) and using them to commit other crimes or selling them, said Supt. Marvin Dames. Out of the 39 shotguns seized in 2004, 69 per cent were licensed shotguns that had been stolen from private homes.

We are interested in knowing what the New York based public relations agency Weber Shandwick is saying about those topics like crime, corruption, drugtrafficking etc. We are astonished that the Bahamas has one of the highest killing rates all over the world – and „in this paradise“ even tourists (Americans, Canadians…) get killed Oooops! The bahamas has one of the highest rates of imprisoned citizenz! Soso! And the Bahamas are on the top 10 list of drug trafficking countries! Wow! Etc. In broschures they publish what travellers want to read only, but the reallity is different.

Tourists, travel agents, potential second homeowners and investors should take in their consideration the crime reports of killers, mayhem, armed robberies, assaults, rising rapes, dope dealing arrests and serious offences against foreigners which are filled in every Bahamian newspaper. In the Bahamian society exists a blatant lack of respect for foreigners human life, saiys Bahamas Consult.

„Foreigners could hardly imagine what can happen towards tourists and investors on New Providence - a small island of 21x7 miles only“. No answer up to now from the Royal Bahamas Police about one of the tragic events that occurred when two American families and a third person from Trinidad, who were attacked at gun point in three separate hotel rooms in the Nassau Beach Hotel at Cable Beach, Nassau? We remember a American couple who operated a hotel on Cat Island and were nearly beaten to death.

Bahamas Consult reminds that United States citizens visiting The Bahamas are subject to its laws and drug violators can and will be arrested, no matter how small the amount. The advisor warned that all persons 16 years or older are tried as adults and stated that legal consultations can be very expensive and foreigners cannot be shure to be represented with highest moral and ethics at courts. Visit also www.gangsterprofiles.net.tc

The warning pointed out that a number of Americans have been killed or very seriously injured in jet ski and scooter accidents. Unlicensed scooter and jet ski rental services have been linked to assaults. Therefore inspect the equipment carefully, ask to see a copy of the operator's business license and do not forget to inquire about their medical and liability insurance coverage.

Bahamas Consult refers also to a two-year old child who was stuck and killed by a speed boat while the British family from Kent was on a Paradise Island beach outisde Atlantis. The British Government issued yet another warning. The Bahamas is not a safe place and prone to violence. It came shortly after a British citizen was brutally attacked and thrown from a public bus. The internet warning tells Brits about violent crimes and tells them also that they are targets, and should be aware of the poorly regulated water sports business. Tourists meet always a „wall of silence“ after they left The Bahamas. Visit also www. Injustice.net.tc and www.bahamasinfo.net.tc