Above: downtown Nassau (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Bahamas has been deploying police resources to the “front lines” to assist in the fight against crime, highlighted by a strategy of “immersing” police officers in communities.

The strategy, which intends to put officers closer to the people they are sworn to protect (and help them respond more quickly to calls for service), is having an impact on crime,” according to National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage.

“This provides all communities with an assurance of safety,” he told House Members Wednesday.

The current strategy involves focusing police in so-called “hot spots,” deploying marked patrol cars of the Mobile Patrol Division during times when most crimes are committed.

“Each car is double-manned by officers who are properly trained, appropriately armed and properly led,” he said. “To facilitate this operation, a superintendent is assigned to head this division supported by an assistant superintendent and three inspectors.”

The government has also mobilized a special team in unmarked vehicles.

“Their mandate is to target prolific serial offenders and criminal suspects who are considered armed and dangerous and who pose an ever-present danger to members of the communities in the Bahamas,” he said. “These officers are deployed in unique shift patterns and are at the sharp end of policing.”