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A Travel Warning Was Issued for the Bahamas—Here’s What You Need to Know

Exercise caution and be vigilant if you’re visiting the Bahamas.

Due to a recent crime wave, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for anyone traveling to the popular tourist destination.

This week, the federal government released this statement: “Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault, is common, even during the day and in tourist areas.” There are four levels of advisory in the State Department’s warning system: Level 1 (“Exercise Caution”), Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), and Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”). The advisory is designated as Level 2, which means “Exercise Increased Caution.”

What Sort of Crimes Are We Talking About?

According to the State Department’s official statement, tourists should be aware that there has been an increase of “Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault, is common, even during the day and in tourist areas.”

A portion of these incidents involved tourists. In February 2018, for example, a U.S. citizen was assaulted while jogging in Nassau (on the island of New Providence) in the early hours of the morning. Though she has helped by a passerby, the police have yet to find a suspect.

According to the State Department’s website, travelers should follow a few safety practices now that this warning is in effect.

I’m Traveling There, What Are a Few Ways to Stay Safe?

The State Department specifically warned visitors to stay vigilant when traveling to New Providence and the Grand Bahama islands as “the vast majority of crime” in the Caribbean country occurs there.

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So, a big first step is to “exercise caution in the area known as ‘Over the Hill’ (south of Shirley Street) and the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay in Nassau, especially at night.” Also, recommends the State Department, don’t “physically resist any robbery attempt,” and “do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is.”

If you’re carrying a bag or a wallet, we recommend keeping it close at all times and, if you have the option, keep any jewelry in a hotel safe. Additionally, always lock your car and keep your passport and other forms of identification in a safe place. If you’re a woman traveling alone, do not walk unescorted at night (especially in the areas the State Department mentions), and consider dressing more conservatively to avoid unwanted attention.

The State Department also notes that tourists should be cautious if they’re partaking in any activities involving recreational watercrafts. Many companies don’t have safety certifications to operate their watercrafts, the Department said, therefore many of them aren’t properly maintained and “Jet-ski operators have been known to commit sexual assaults against tourists.”

Traveling anywhere else in the near future? Check out the State Department’s color-coded travel advisory map that they just rolled out last year.

Update: The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has issued the following statement:

The Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is aware of the recent update to the U.S. Travel Advisory for The Bahamas. We would note that overall, their guidance to citizens remains a Level Two advisory recommending caution, but not actually urging delay or cancellation of travel plans to our islands. The U.S. has issued 208 Travel Advisories ranging from Level 1 to Level 4; The Bahamas is among 55 countries with a Level 2 advisory and we are in the company of France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico and China. We recommend that travelers to any destination maintain awareness of their surroundings and exercise basic precautions, as they likely would in their home cities and when not on holiday.

In reality, the vast majority of our 6 million annual visitors do so without any incident whatsoever. According to Royal Bahamas Police data for 2018 there were only 43 incidents involving tourists, of which 30 involved U.S. nationals, none (0) involved Canadians, and nearly all were minor offences. The Ministry of Tourism appreciates the efforts of law enforcement and congratulates authorities on the progress they have made in significantly reducing serious crimes like murder (-25%), armed robbery (18%), attempted robbery (-19%) and shoplifting (-23%). The safety of residents and visitors is of paramount importance and efforts to maintain and improve security are a constant priority for Bahamas authorities as is true for all governments.

Safety and security efforts include the use of CCTV in addition to a heightened police presence with foot, bicycle and motor patrols across all areas referenced in the advisory and tourist areas, including additional Beach Enforcement Officers that have been deployed to beaches frequented by visitors. Regular communication is in effect between the Royal Bahamas Police Force Land and Marine Units, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Harbour Patrol Unit and the Ministry of Tourism to ensure concerns are addressed quickly.

The Ministry of Tourism supports the various steps taken to address needed changes in regulation and enforcement of measures to ensure the safety of watercraft activities. The Port Department and, by extension, the Ministry of Transport and Local Government have sought to strengthen its laws governing vessels (including enhancements to the Commercial Recreational Watercraft Act) through the adoption of regional safety codes and requirements under the Small Commercial Vessel Code and Caribbean Cargo Ship Safety Code. Such Codes stipulate higher inspection standards, mandatory safety equipment required on board vessels, criteria for domestic or home built vessels, dry docking inspections and increased ship manning requirements.

These measures are being aggressively maintained or pursued by the Ministry of Transport and Local Government and the Port Department to ensure the Maritime Industry is effectively regulated, thus ensuring the safety of visitors and all seafarers. This effort includes joint and coordinated sea patrols by the Police Marine Unit, Defence Force Harbour Patrol Unit and the Port Department, and development of a citation and ticketing system for those not in compliance.

Safety and security on land and at sea is critically important for visitors and for the Bahamian people. Aggressive efforts are underway across all relevant Bahamian ministries and departments to ensure that our islands remain a destination that provides a welcoming environment where visitors enjoy our culture and our citizens enjoy economic opportunity.

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