Serious crimes being down 26% isn't anything to talk about. Simply but if you had 10 serious crimes, you now have just over 7.

However the commissioner has a point. In most communities the people know who the offenders are, the thieves, murders, drug dealers etc.. and don't speak up out of fear or simply minding their own business until it hits home. Additionally our judiciary system comes off as lenient because these offenders are back streets within weeks.

I recommend the police hosting events in these communities to build relationships. From very young our young men are being taught by friends and family in some cases that the police is the enemy, their oppressor. This in a sense is also understandable because how to you openly speak to some who only interact with when there is trouble? So naturally there is fear.

Judiciary system needs to put in place a minimal holding time for these serious crimes especially murder and if this is against our laws, bring it to the vote of the people and make the necessary changes. Our system has no teeth and the criminals know that.

well i suffered a house break-in in dec-2016.
on the same night, two other homes were also broken into on the same street.

just about evryone i know has been robbed at gun point or someone has entered their home.

i wonder if they really report all the home break ins.

No! 3 homes on the same street in one night? You know they weren't the only houses hit that day and since it is a 365 day job- and for them it is "a job"- do the math. This report is a tragedy and what is worse is that the commissioner can't see it for what it is.

Anyone can use statistics to prove a point ........ But if the threshold point is HIGH, a decline does not mean that the elevated rate has produced a safe environment ............... after a high of 140 murders, a 25% decline would still produce over 100 murders ........ Where is the comfort in that???????

It is true that after a high of 147 murders last year the real reduction is just 10% reduction of the annual average murders. Up until October this country had the possibility of keeping the murder rate under 90 murders which would have been 35% below the average and 45% below the 2015 figure. But apparently gang warfare broke in October and youn men started dropping like flies. Obviously many were killed because they were associated with one gang or another or with a faction of the gang that is at war with itself. Many of them took no effort to protect because they didn't suspect they were a target. And halfway into January and with 6 murders recorded the police still haven't figured how to stop this wholesale killing.

Comrades! Crime has a lot more falling to do to reduce the fear of crime in our neighbourhoods, communities and at our business establishments.
The Commish will understand why there will be many who will suggest the crime statistic's have only declined because victims of crimes don't even bother reporting them?
Citizens, residents, business owners and workers will only begin to believe that they and their families are safer, once they're satisfied that the released statistics are not just based on policeman's facts and figures and were not compiled in consultation with the government as the influencing creative mathematicians.
Commish we know your heart is good but you, we and your policeman's - still have a heavy load haul to give citizens and residents the hope that the freedom of movement and to assemble as a community without the fear the thugs robbing or killing them - will indeed return back to their neighbourhoods and communities.
Commish, crime has corroded our nation's communities, degraded our society, and helped to foster a whole new set criminals out otherwise good citizens.

Yes we must commend the commissioner and the police and everyone else involved that there was a reduction. The country did not get to this point overnight and it will take time to clean it up. It will take more patience and more effort from everyone. Even the need to go out and warn youn men against becoming involved in crime and gangs and illegal drugs. And of course let them know the possibilities of having their life cut short.

Comrade John, I believe there are strong correlations to our own society's fear of crime and the low numbers potential voters who are not showing up to register to vote in the upcoming 2017 General.... Maybe has something to do with all hope being lost?
Unfortunately, the the WE PROTEST against the government on Majority Rule Day, never addressed the correlations that are fast eroding our society, young people, forcing even more out paycheques workers fight their survival, neighbourhoods and communities.
Comrade John, business establishments are closing their doors at sundown and throwing their workers out paycheques - due loss revenues from the increased risks of operating their businesses after dark.

The voter apathy is more than just crime shock. Persons are just disillusioned and feel a sense of hopelessness. Not just happening here but around the world. Young people, many of them who will be voting for the first time, are not sure of how the system operates. If they are unemployed they see no reason to vote. Hopefully one day drivers education will become a part of the 12th grade curriculum. Then applications to register will be filled out by every student who is over 17 and graduating. Those who are 18 will have their applications filed to be registered and those 17 will have their applications filed on their 18 birthday. That way every high school leaver/graduate will be registered to vote within one year after leaving school and they will have drivers education even if they do not pass the test to get a drivers license.

When the Bahamian people realize their not dealing with a government but a crime cyndacate, that's when things will really change. Otherwise it will be the same $hit on just another day. I predict Mr. Henfield will fall to the hands of the PLP before election time comes.

Syndicate! F**king computers!

The low voter turnout has a lot to do with apathy but a lot of Bahamians- A LOT - of middle class voting Bahamians have already left the Bahamas and no one is talking about it.

Serious Crime Down.... Serious BullShit UP!!!!