The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE UNITED States is concerned about the level of crime in the Bahamas but is confident the government will get a handle on it.

That was the message from John Armstrong, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, yesterday, as he announced the details of the new visa application process.

Last month, US State Department officials again warned American visitors to avoid “Over The Hill” areas after dark in their annual crime and safety report.

Officials also underlined concerns about residential security, minimal enforcement of traffic laws and an “upsurge” in criminal activity that could put innocent bystanders at risk.

Mr Armstrong said it is the duty of the government, any government, to keep their citizens safe and the warning to US citizens living and visiting the Bahamas was in line with the warning the Bahamian government has given its people.

“One thing that is important to remember when looking at the messages that we have sent to Americans regarding crime is that it is the obligation of any country to look after their citizens abroad, whether that’s an American citizen in Brazil or the Bahamas or a Bahamian citizen in the United States and China. That is the primary obligation of a government to keep its citizens safe. In order to do so from time to time the government will have to issue messages to its citizens warning them of potentially dangerous situations and we have issued such messages to American citizens in the Bahamas and visitors travelling to the Bahamas. Often times these messages are right in line with what the Bahamian government itself has been telling its citizens and that is one of the factors we take into consideration,” he said.

“We are concerned. Certainly, to be honest, I have been here for a year-and-a-half I have talked to lots of Bahamians and government officials and there is a concern in the country for crime. It would be strange not to see that reflected in what we ourselves say to our citizens. It is a precaution hopefully they will be able to follow the advice to avoid being a victim of crime.”

Mr Armstrong also applauded the government, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for their efforts in the war against drugs.

He said: “In our most recent report, we noted things that were good and things that can be improved but in my estimation the relationship between the US and the Bahamas is excellent. The results we have seen in the first four months are proof the Bahamas is on the right track. “Bahamas law enforcement officers have made some significant arrests and busts, where they received money and significant drugs. It is excellent. If these things are coming through the Bahamas the people who are trafficking them should know that they better look out, Bahamas law enforcement and the Bahamas Defence Force are there to stop them.”