By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE number of people being killed in the Bahamas hugely under-represents the number of people who are actual victims of crime, Dr Duane Sands yesterday.
Dr Sands, former Senator and Emergency Room Doctor at the Princess Margaret Hospital, said that the newest crime statistics released by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, in no way paints the true picture of what he sees in the hospital everyday.
According to the latest police statics released on Monday, overall crime decreased by 11 per cent this year compared to the same period last year – January 1 to May 27.
When questioned about the decreased figures in relation to the high volume of shootings in New Providence this year, police officials explained that some shootings were classified as “causing harm” based on severity of the crime.
Incidents of “causing harm” were not included in the official statistics that were released.
Murder and attempted murder also decreased by 13 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.
However, Dr Sands said if it wasn’t for the intervention of medical professionals the murder count would be significantly higher.
“This has been an issue we have been discussing in the medical field for some time. There have been incidents when a patient comes into the Emergency Room with a serious life threatening injury and they are only saved because of the intervention of doctors and medical staff. Then we hear, the person responsible for shooting or stabbing this individual has a reduced charge of causing harm. There is something, I believe, wrong with that,” he said.
“The only reason some of these people are alive is because attackers are not good shots and they missed. But they were trying to kill not trying to harm so how is that not attempted murder? It almost makes you feel as a clinician that you are contributing in a bizarre way to allowing a culprit to get back on the streets. I had a lady stabbed in her heart and she was fortunate enough to survive after we repaired a laceration to her right ventricle but then we heard the person was charged with causing harm. It is just absurd.
“We have no say in the matter, it is entirely up to the judicial system what they charge a person with. So I could have someone shot multiple times come in the hospital but because of the intervention and the huge amount of resources the patient survives but it is only causing harm and they do not give any rhyme or reason for their decision.”
Dr Sands said the Emergency Room at the Princess Margaret Hospital sees more than 250 persons getting shot a year, over 1,000 stabbings and over 3,000 assaults. He said there is a huge crime problem in this country and the recently released crime statistics are just a tip of the iceberg.
“You cannot just focus on the murder rate, that does not paint a true picture of the crime in the Bahamas. We rank in the top 10 for violent countries in the world per capita. This is the reality, this has been the reality for a long time and this is not a PLP or FNM statement,” he said.
“I have no interest in rebutting the numbers of the Commissioner but what I can see from experience working at the Princess Margaret Hospital, I find no solace or comfort in reports that violent crime is down. There is a huge problem in this country. Things are bad. We should find no comfort in these numbers at all. And if our politicians, whether they be PLP or FNM, are of the belief that any single group can solve this problem they are delusional. Anyone who says that is an idiot.”
Comments
USAhelp 10 years, 11 months ago
So i shoot you to kill but you live is this not attempted murder. NOT in the Bahamas.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 11 months ago
No man...you just caused somebody a little bit of harm...so moral to the story, shoot him, but don't kill him...let the bullets fly!!
B_I_D___ 10 years, 11 months ago
Let's recalibrate the statistics to show any attack, or 'harm' to a person that was done with the assistance of a weapon, albeit knives, guns, bats, spears, whatever, heck, even fists, it is classified as a violent attack, no room for adjustments or someones 'interpretation' of the facts. In almost any other country in the world, if you are a trained fighter, martial arts, MMA or whatever and you get into an altercation/fist fight, they can try you with assault with a deadly weapon, you are trained to attack and kill with your fighting techniques. Causing Harm...PLEASE...let's get real and call it what it is...a violent act and re-run the stats.
lazybor 10 years, 11 months ago
'Statistics Not A True Picture Of Crime' today i've learnt something new
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TalRussell 10 years, 10 months ago
The Policeman's get's their sta-tis-tics. But there is that reality steering you right back about the number of murders, rapes and robberies happening every single day in Bahamaland. Unfortunately ... that can complicate the living hell out of ya numbers prepared for the media, that you've taken off some fancy wall chart?
And, Comrades there's another thing that's go'in be hard to swallow. That gangs have no relationship to recent crimes. How recent are we talk'in about. Say as recent as a week, a day, a month or two ago?
Ain't a damn thing fancy or statistical about burying a murdered family member.
B_I_D___ 10 years, 10 months ago
Still the most ludicrous comment ever...gangs not responsible for crimes...organized crime, drug dealers, etc are responsible. Sadly all this spew coming out the commissioners mouth and blown out of porportion by the PLP to try to prove the myth to their masses that they are doing a good job, 'IS' getting some of their faithful boasting and proud about what a good job they are doing. Feel like clobbering some people over the head with a 2x4 and telling them to wake the frick up and realized they are being lied to and deceived!! Just keep walking around with blinders on and believing every dang word out of these politicians mouths...we are doomed as a country.
TalRussell 10 years, 10 months ago
I may disagree with the Commish over his gangs not involved statement but still believe he is a good man with a most difficult responsibility. I have always said that we all have be thankful to have so many dedicated policeman's and policewoman's who stand between us and the criminals.
The flooding Bahamaland is experiencing may very well be from the far too many tears of all the mothers who lost their own to the deadly crime storm hovering over our once so peaceful Bahamaland.
Each must feel something for all mothers who cry themselves to sleep wondering if their child will become a footnote on some policeman's blotter. Are we all doing our best for our beloved Bahamaland?
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