Boat thefts in Abaco

As of Tuesday, July 26, 2016

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I am a business owner in Hope Town, Abaco. My family and I have been a part of this community for the past 60 years.

For most people, visitors or those who live here in Hope Town and Elbow Cay, this place is unique and special. School children from Family Islands to the mega-wealthy from all corners of the world come here and fall in love with this special place and its people, many of them descendants of the original settlers.

Hope Town is a community of predominantly hard working local people, and regular visitors, many of whom own second homes here. Most everyone knows one another. Life here has been very peaceful with a deep sense of communal trust and respect. Typically people are accustomed to leaving boats, golf carts unlocked, keys in the ignition. Tragically, in recent times the people and businesses of Elbow Cay have become victims to local criminals who are now preying upon the innocence that makes this community so special. If ignored or left unchecked this idyllic gem of the Bahamas will fall to ruin.

As a devoted Bahamian and passionate stakeholder in the Abacos, I write this letter as a plea to the Commissioner of Police to aggressively clean up and bring to justice the thugs who steal our boats, burglarize homes, deal drugs on the streets, among other crimes. We understand that financial and human resources are limited. Given an opportunity to partner with competent law enforcement, and moving toward classic community policing, this community can hopefully move forward free of the concern of it becoming more of a lawless place.

This is a letter of outrage. While our country has many other very serious problems, we are not asking for any special attention. We are simply urging you to lead the police force in an effort to work with the Out Island settlements of the Abacos to clean up this crime and maintain law and order. Commissioner Greenslade, the ball is in your court.

Five boats were stolen in one night last week, and as I write this an additional two boats have been stolen last night.

Outraged Abaco businessman

Abaco,

July 25, 2016.

themessenger 7 years, 8 months ago

Unfortunately this problem isn't limited to Abaco but is wide spread throughout the country. Great Exuma has for the last 4-5 years experienced a horrendous problem with boat thefts, break ins and ransacking of second home owner houses on that island causing many of them to sell up and leave. In many cases the local police have a very good idea of who the culprits are but turn a blind eye because of their connections.The situation in Nassau speaks for itself. Those chickens from the bad eggs laid in the 70's and 80's have come home to roost and don't care who they crap on. We are the people our parents warned us about.

birdiestrachan 7 years, 8 months ago

I am quite surprise. I thought Abaco had a very low rate of crime. Where are they taking these boats.?**. Security Cameras and something to trace the boats should help, Technology is great. I believe this is a ring of only a few.

Sickened 7 years, 8 months ago

The boat thieves have sensors that can locate the transmitters on the boat. The transmitters are just ripped out and tossed in the ocean or on land. I personally wished they worked.

YesiJed 7 years, 8 months ago

sso Birdie, your typical PLP response is that the citizens should self-police themselves rather than have the Police Force do it's job ?

ohdrap4 7 years, 8 months ago

the residents of hopetown often know who the perpretators are.

call crime stoppers, it is anonymous. so your neighbour will not know who called

herecomestheboom 7 years, 8 months ago

sorry can't reason with the the stupid in this comment.....

ohdrap4 7 years, 8 months ago

neither can I.

often people know who the housebreakers are, but they happen to be the locals in your midst. people talk about who broke into the houses but keep quiet because they are members of the community.

i repeat, call crime stoppers, that way you can tell them who broke into the home without fear it is you who is telling on the neighbor's children.

BMW 7 years, 8 months ago

catch them and roll them in fifty feet of fence wire!

OMG 7 years, 8 months ago

It is who you know always. Every island has its "royalty" who run the churches and businesses,and are given special treatment if and when it comes to court. If joe blow causes death with a vehicle whilst drunk (vehicular manslaughter) he will probably get a fine and imprisonment. Not so if you are connected . A good lawyer and a fine and free as a bird.I have even seen one person who had been fired from numerous jobs and served jail time get a position as security at a government airport.

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