By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
AMERICAN officials have declared that the St Albans Drive nightspot, Sand Trap, is “off limits” for its employees and their families, citing the shooting death of a woman there last week and an “ongoing association with known criminal elements”.
Part of a series of security messages released yesterday, the United States Embassy “strongly” recommended US citizens to avoid “frequenting this establishment”.
Another advisory warned American citizens to avoid tomorrow’s ‘We March Black Friday’ civic demonstration.
The Embassy also issued a warning reminding its citizens in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos of the annual increase in crime during the holiday season.
For the Sand Trap, the statement described the establishment as the “launching point” for jet ski operators, a group the Embassy has repeatedly taken issue with in recent years. It claims that operators are “minimally regulated by government and also associated with criminal activity such as assault”.
A woman was killed and two people, a woman and a man, were hospitalised following a drive by shooting at the Sand Trap off West Bay Street around 8pm on November 14.
The shooting took the country’s murder count to 90 for the year.
Speaking to crime trends, the United States Embassy reminded US citizens in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos of the annual scourge in crime in these countries around the holiday season.
“This notice is intended to provide security information to help ensure a safe holiday season,” the statement said.
It continued: “Vigilance plays a key role in the early detection of danger. If you observe anything you perceive as suspicious or dangerous the best option is to move away immediately and call the police at 911 or 919 in the Bahamas, and 911 or 999 in Turks and Caicos.”
The Embassy said that perpetrators of residential crimes typically conduct “pre-attack surveillance”, insisting that the trend underscores the need for an increased awareness of common activities which can directly impact personal security.
Embassy officials warned its residents to think prudently about after dark travel, stressing that they avoid unlit areas where persons could hide and ambush unsuspecting persons, listing the Arawak Cay area as such a spot.
US residents were also urged to keep wallets and purses close to their bodies while shopping or at restaurants around the Bahamas. The statement read: “Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, use an ATM/credit card when possible and check your credit card statements regularly for potential fraud or unauthorised charges. “
It continued: “Avoid using ATM machines located in isolated areas and consider using ATM machines located in locations that have security coverage. Be particularly aware of your surroundings when making withdrawals.”
“Keep your car doors locked and your windows rolled up, as you drive. Keep valuables out of sight when parked (including cell phones, laptops, cash, GPS, or other valuables). Utilise a car alarm or steering wheel locking device.”
“Do not display or wear expensive jewellery that may make you a target for criminals.”
“In crawling traffic or in a stopped line of cars, leave at least a half a car length between your vehicle and the car in front of you. If you believe you are being followed, drive immediately to a safe location such as a police station, a gas station, or a hotel. If travelling in an unfamiliar area use a GPS or map app on your cell phone to know where you are when driving.”
Embassy officials also recommended to its residents, that if confronted by armed criminals, that they should value their lives over any vehicle or valuable.
“Remember your vehicle or valuables are not worth your life or anyone else’s life. Try to remain calm, clearly display your hands and do not make any sudden moves that could be interpreted as resistance,” the warning added.
Comments
Cobalt 8 years ago
The U.S. is really being hypocritical in this regard. In the past three years America has had more riots, protests, and incidence of civil unrest than many countries in the western hemisphere. Blacks and whites were being gunned down mercilessly by one another in race related hate crimes for the past two years now. I think the American Embassy need to address that instead of pointing fingers at the Bahamas.
HarryWyckoff 8 years ago
Take any one portion of the US 21 miles by 7 miles in size. Compare the crime rate with the same 21 miles by 7 miles here on New Providence.
Or, if that's too difficult, look at the murders/robberies per 100,000 people in each country.
There's a reason we're on warning lists the world over.
Cobalt 8 years ago
East St Louis, Detroit, Tulsa Oklahoma, and the inner city of Chicago have staggering murder rates! Worst than the Bahamas! Innocent children are gunned down in schools like columbine Colorado all the time! A white man walked into a church in North Carolina and assasinated a congregation of black parishioners! The U.S. should be the last country to be warning people about crime.
Our crime rate appears high because Nassau is a small island so the incidences are concentrated to a 7/21 island. Murder is rare on the other family islands when compared to that of Nassau. Every capital city in the world has a high murder rate. Get real!
ScullyUFO 8 years ago
This is true, but the locations you mention do not depend on tourism as a staple of their economy. The Bahamas does. A hidden message in the actions of the U.S. Embassy is a statement of non-confidence in the local government to do anything about the high crime rate.
Cobalt 8 years ago
Yes, I agree with you there. The U.S. is a first world country that doesnt depend on tourism. However, the Bahamas does.
Millennial242 8 years ago
Sand Trap is the closest bar to the residential home for a lot of their employees. Makes sense they would issue this warning. It's literally walking distance from where their employees live.
licks2 8 years ago
YOU EVER THOUGH THAT THIS IS THE "ONGOING" TAIL OF THE "WARNING" SENT TO BAHAMIAN CITIZENS IN THE USA BY MINISTER MITCHELL LAST YEAR. . .WE SENT OUR " LIL TIT" AND THEY BEEN "TATING" US FROM THEN TILL NOW. . .WITH MORE TO COME!! OUR MOFA IS NOT MATURED ENOUGH TO BE A DIPLOMAT. . .ESPECIALLY TO THE USA!
Sunsaint 5 years, 9 months ago
We have not had any race related shootings. Nassau is a small city with a crime rate worse than a city like Miami. Lazy people need to get jobs instead of robbing tourists.
viewersmatters 8 years ago
US has all and every rights to warn their people of danger or becoming a victim, this is why the Bahamas is in the state right now we play a blinds eyes to these serious matters and take them very lightly highlighting other countries and what they are doing. It's very sad that most people can't even enjoy a walk on the park anymore nor feel safe in the place they call home. Wake up Bahamas we have many serious problems and pointing isn't going make things any better
alfalfa 8 years ago
The Sand Trap, as a business, closed down over ten years ago. The building that burned down on the property was once rented by, and operated as the Sand Trap, and perhaps the reference to this name is based upon history. The Sand Trap was a fun place and never home to the type of violence that goes on at the property today. I wonder if this "shack" even has a business license; proper BPL connections, toilet facilities, and health certificates. It seems that a used tire business, and a boat junkyard are also operated on the property, allegedly owned by Tennyson Wells. Perhaps authorities may wish to take a look at exactly what its going on at this property, located right on Bay Street, and immediately East of the American Embassy property. Otherwise just let the Embassy continue to issue warnings to its personnel to steer clear of it.
Sickened 8 years ago
I can confirm that there is only one port o potty for this establishment. Most fella's pee along the wall (I assume). I too would like to know if there is a business license and food handler's certificate for the shack. How can such nasty places be allowed to operate on west bay street?
xaminmo 6 years, 10 months ago
This is the way the Embassy gets attention from the local government as much as it is warnings to their staff. There are places in NP that you can go alone, places where you take a friend, and places where you don't go unless you really need to. . Just like everywhere, most people are good people, and it just takes a couple of bad apples to mess things up for others. . My perspective is from a 6'5 white guy who keeps to himself most of the time, does not dress fancy, smiles and waves, and is just as happy ordering from Double Dragon as going out. I tend to not attract too much drama, and not too many people see me as an easy mark. YMMV.
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