TWELVE murders in the past 12 days brought the country’s murder count to 81 for the year, not far behind last year’s count of 85 by this same time, last year.

Just last week, Prime Minister Perry Christie spoke about the “compelling need” for heightened protection against the scourge of crime. He revealed that to this end, government is considering using the Defence Force to help expand the reach of the police.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for a new western New Providence hotel, he said: “As we introduce expanded commercial facilities through this part of the island, I want to be able to tell you what I’m doing to pay very special attention to ensuring that you have maximum coverage of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and as I’ve indicated to you, if necessary, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

“I know that the Minister of National Security has been giving serious consideration as to how the RBDF can assist the RBPF in ensuring that we give adequate – and if not adequate, full coverage – of parts of the island that may be relatively remote.”

The most recent murder occurred last night on Pitt Road - see the story on page one - and prior to that on Wednesday. Police say a man was playing backgammon with a group of men on Fowler Street, around 2pm, when he got into an argument with one of the men. That man fired several shots, hitting the victim who died of his injuries at the scene.

Later that night, around 9:50pm, a man was playing dominoes with a group of men at White’s Road off Kemp Road when he was approached by two men in a dark coloured Honda Accord vehicle who shot him multiple times and drove off. The victim also died of his injuries at the scene.

This same time, last year, another man had died in similar circumstances, becoming the 85th victim of 2012.

The Tribune reported on Wednesday, September 5, last year, that a 29-year-old father was shot in the head while playing dominoes.

The incident had occurred on Monday, September 3, but the victim, Jasnell Edward Roberts, died of his injuries on the night of Tuesday, September 4.

Police said Mr Roberts, of Carmichael Road, was outside a Meadows Street residence around 10pm when he was approached by a gunman. The gunman shot him once in the head before running into nearby bushes. Mr Roberts was taken to hospital that night. He died the next evening.