Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Recent Violent Criminal Incidents in Popular Area

[CarstenWL]

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau advises U.S. citizens residing in and traveling to The Bahamas to be aware of their surroundings and remain on heightened alert to avoid being a victim of crime. As reported in the State Department’s Country Specific Information for The Bahamas, armed robbery remains a major criminal threat facing U.S. citizens in The Bahamas, with the crime threat on New Providence listed as “critical.”

This past weekend, two violent incidents occurred in areas heavily frequented by U.S. citizen visitors and residents. On Sunday night, March 22, a man was stabbed and killed on the main sidewalk of Arawak Cay, in an area known as the “Fish Fry.” In the early morning hours of March 23, a man was at his business establishment at Compass Point when an unidentified man shot, critically wounded and robbed him before fleeing on foot.

In light of these events, U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to The Bahamas should review their personal security plans. Remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

If you are the victim of a crime abroad (including the loss or theft of a U.S. passport), you should immediately contact the local police (dial “919”). Contact with the Embassy should be made as soon as possible thereafter.

If you encounter a violent or threatening situation, try to remain calm and immediately get yourself out of harm’s way. If confronted by armed criminals, remember your vehicle or valuables are not worth your or anyone else’s life.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in The Bahamas enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for The Bahamas. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to have travel information at your fingertips.

In The Bahamas, the Embassy is located at 42 Queen Street in downtown Nassau, and can be reached at 242-322-1181.

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Not scared yet here but 34 murders in the Bahamas already this year - quite amazing if you look at a population of ca. 240000 on New Providence.

Carsten

[paxfish]

You can skip Arawak Cay and be none the worse off. Just a bunch of mediocre restaurants in kind of a crappy area.

[ontherocks83]

Lets just jump right to it.

Best way to protect your self against this? Guns, Machete's, tomahawk, skip the bahamas, you shouldn't leave your house if you are afraid of things, don't go out at night, add security alarm siren to your boat?.................and fight

[keepondancin]

Check today's new in NYC, South Florida, Chicago, Philadelphia, LA, don't fly, etc.......

[zeehag]

omygods the sky is falling. now, st lucia and bahamas and omygods and now the med ... looks like you all will have to remain at home on the dock any more.
cannot cruise in mexico or in caribbean, what with mediterranean also infested.
no indian ocean. no seychelles ..no where no mo'..and forget somalia shores....
what to do what to do .. all will have to stay at home on a dock together moaning about the state of the world....
(wringing hands)
the strong and intelligent will continue to cruise.
there are ways to avoid being fed to sharks.

[Wrong]

Originally Posted by zeehag

omygods the sky is falling. now, st lucia and bahamas and omygods and now the med ... looks like you all will have to remain at home on the dock any more.
cannot cruise in mexico or in caribbean, what with mediterranean also infested.
no indian ocean. no seychelles ..no where no mo'..and forget somalia shores....
what to do what to do .. all will have to stay at home on a dock together moaning about the state of the world....
(wringing hands)

the strong and intelligent will continue to cruise.

Well, you won't really know how intelligent they have been until the fat lady sings...

there are ways to avoid being fed to sharks.

Yeah. Stay out of shark infested waters!

[chuckr]

So what is new. A couple of years ago they bad guys held up a whole group of tourists on some outing. 99% of the Bahamas is safer than 25% of most American cities which 75% are unsafe.
Yea the sky is fall so sell your boat build your bomb shelter and hide

[Wrong]

Originally Posted by chuckr

So what is new. A couple of years ago they bad guys held up a whole group of tourists on some outing. 99% of the Bahamas is safer than 25% of most American cities which 75% are unsafe.
Yea the sky is fall so sell your boat build your bomb shelter and hide

Repetitition.