Yesterday?s front page story on crimes against visitors should be a warning to all Bermuda residents who care about tourism that the industry is hanging by a thread.

Bermuda cannot afford to have visitors being dragged along the roads or being held up in hotel rooms, not to mention ride-by shootings at tourist spots.

When these incidents occur in areas like Pitts Bay Road ? an all too common crime spot ? there is no excuse for the attacker not being caught and for other attackers from being deterred.

For the summer at least, the Police must raise its profile and patrols in areas that visitors frequent.

The alternative is not worth thinking about.