US Embassy in Nassau charge d’affaires Lisa Johnson said The Bahamas’ crime statistics are “frightening” and the local crime problem is an issue that needs to be tackled before it begins to have a notably adverse effect on tourism and the country’s economy.
During a roundtable meeting with Bahamian media on Thursday, Johnson expressed concern that the problem needs to be addressed urgently, although she noted relief would not come overnight.
She also told reporters the US government has now stepped up its assistance to the Bahamian government to hopefully bring a resolution to the issue that has prompted several crime warnings from different countries.
Last week, the embassy issued a warning to US citizens travelling to and living in The Bahamas not to patronize jet ski operators on New Providence due to the poorly regulated nature of the industry and several alleged rapes of American tourists in The Bahamas.
