Fernander: Crime solvency rate at 60%
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Illegal firearms and ammunition are tools often used in criminal activity according to Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Clayton Fernander who said that the force is cracking down in the fight against crime.
“Firearms are used in the commission of 90% of all violent crimes in The Bahamas including murder and armed robbery.”
This week officers from various sectors of law enforcement will participate in a Small Arms & Light Weapons joint training, a program that Fernander said will benefit law enforcement agencies in the fight against firearms entering the Bahamas.
He added that this year, hundreds of illegal guns were confiscated off the streets.
“Thus far we have a total of 329 firearms which includes pistols and high-powered rifles.
“4,685 assorted ammunition were also taken off the streets thus far for the year.”
Fernander noted that crime solvency is just over 60 percent this year, “[…] But the bottom line is that we want to prevent these matters,” he added.
The country’s murder count stands at 115, taking that into account, the police commissioner said that the country is losing too many young men to crime and gun violence.
”Males under the age of 35 are often the victims and suspects of these crimes,” Fernander said.
“Unfortunately these young men are able to put their hands on illegal firearms and compound recurring problems.”
Fernander said police were successful in recovering a number of firearms off the streets over the weekend and with the escalating crime being a concern he said they are doing as much as they can.
”Over the weekend officers were up and about in every crease and corner of this Bahamaland. We were up and about, we want to be consistent in doing this in ensuring that the Bahamian people are safe.”
Fernander said that the national training on small arms and light weapons is timely as the RBPF gears up to launch their Firearms and Anti-gangs Task Force unit within the next two weeks to tackle illegal weapons and gang violence in the country.
He added that the task force will include officers from the defense force, customs, immigration, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms, and Homeland Security Investigations in a multiagency approach geared towards identifying gun smugglers and firearms trafficking.
“We will be relentless in going after these individuals who continue to wreak havoc in our community.”
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