Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles announced a substantial decline in crime across The Bahamas for 2025, with overall major crimes falling by 15% and murders plummeting by 31%. This marks the largest percentage drop in homicides since national tracking began in 1963.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in the southeastern Bahamas on October 29, 2025, as a Category 1 storm, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, and dangerous storm surges up to 7 feet. The storm prompted evacuations across islands including Ragged Island and Long Island, following a catastrophic path through Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, where it caused widespread damage and dozens of fatalities.
The Bahamas has retained its Tier 1 ranking in the U.S. State Department's 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, marking a decade of meeting minimum standards. Despite this achievement, the report highlights significant concerns regarding Cuban labor contracts, where a substantial portion of workers' salaries was reportedly withheld by the Cuban regime, raising forced labor red flags.
Education officials in Grand Bahama have launched an investigation into the death of six-year-old Vernal 'Zion' Williams, who died after a swing set collapsed at Caring Hands Academy. Police are also investigating the incident, which occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025. The Ministry of Education has pledged to review safety protocols.
