Bahamas 2020 Crime & Safety Report
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Bahamas 2020 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in the Bahamas. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Bahamas-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private- sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses the Bahamas at Level 2, indicating travelers should Exercise increased caution in the Bahamas due to crime. 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. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Nassau as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Crime represents the country’s primary security threat. Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) statistics for 2019 highlight an overall drop in non-violent crime from 2018. According to RBPF statistics that encompass the roughly 700 islands and 2,000 cays of The Bahamas, the number of murders increased by 4% compared to 2018. The number of armed robberies increased by 12%, while the number of reported rapes, attempted rapes, and unarmed robberies decreased. There was an overall drop in property crime with decreases in incidents of burglaries and vehicle thefts. The majority of murders occurred in the south-central portion of New Providence (the island home to Nassau and Paradise Island). On New Providence, the highest volume of murders occurred between May and October, with retaliatory gang violence as the leading motive. On Grand Bahama, the number of murders increased by 67%. Drug trafficking continues to be the major concern in the northern islands. The vast majority of incidents involving U.S. citizens residing in The Bahamas are robberies or property crimes. Armed robbery, property crime, purse snatching, theft, fraud, and sexual assault remain the most common crimes perpetrated against tourists. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind. The RBPF continues to use assertive policing methods, which include high-visibility checkpoints, focused raids, and the implementation of shot spotter technology in high-crime areas. The RBPF maintains a robust presence in tourist areas, and has improved lighting in areas cruise ship passengers frequent. There are plans to implement public CCTV systems in several areas throughout New Providence Island in the near future. Most reported violence perpetrated against Bahamians occurred in areas of saturated criminality that tourists do not typically visit. However, New Providence has witnessed crime in locations tourists frequent. Bahamas 2020 Crime & Safety Report Many criminals carry weapons. The vast majority of murders involved firearms, including fully automatic rifles and pistols illegally modified to shoot in full automatic mode. Unless provoked, criminals committing property crimes typically did not engage in gratuitous violence. However, in previous years, there were reports of armed robbery during which the assailant assaulted the victim after the victim resisted. In many of the snatch-and-grab crimes involving purses, jewelry, cell phones, and/or cash, the assailant was armed. If someone confronts you demanding valuables, comply and make the encounter as brief as possible. Remain calm, be observant, clearly display your hands, and do not make any sudden moves that criminals could interpret as resistance. To help replace lost or stolen documents, make a copy of your driver’s license/passport photo page and keep the originals in a separate, secure location. Instead of carrying large amounts of cash, use a debit/credit card for payments when possible. Avoid using ATMs in isolated areas. ATM skimmers are active throughout Nassau. According to the RBPF, criminals commonly use two types of skimmers – a fake overlay device or a deep insert skimming device – along with a hidden camera to capture pin numbers. Skimmers create duplicate cards with stolen information, and then withdraw money from the victim’s account. If you observe a skimming device on an ATM, take a picture of it (if it is safe to do so) and contact police immediately. Review OSAC’s report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud. Opportunistic crimes (e.g. petty thefts, vehicle theft) and the fraudulent use of bank/credit card accounts occur. There have been numerous reports of credit/debit card compromise and unauthorized charges from other countries. This trend continued into 2019, with numerous reports of credit and ATM card fraud. Review OSAC’s report, Taking Credit. Residential security remains a major concern. Crime ranging from theft of personal property to burglary occurs, even in gated communities where vacation or temporary rentals are common. Do not leave belongings unsecured outside your residence. Vehicles, bicycles, generators, and other property will attract criminals. If you cannot store items inside, visibly secure them with a chain and lock as a deterrent. It is difficult to assess residential crime numbers accurately, in part because some property owners compensate tenant victims personally without reporting incidents to the police in order to protect the reputation of communities and maintain property values. Although forced entry into residences is a concern, the combination of a residential alarm, anti-burglar bars, neighborhood watches, security lighting, and roving security patrols serve as deterrents, pushing criminals to softer, less protected targets. Home invasions are generally not random. Do not answer your door unless you know who it is. Secure your residence even when inside. Have an escape plan for you and your family and know how to get out of the house or hotel room. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. For long-term absences, consider using timers to turn on lights automatically throughout the day, especially if you are off-island. Arrange to have your lawn cut periodically and arrange to have a friend/colleague check on your home and pick up newspapers or other deliveries daily. Bahamas 2020 Crime & Safety Report Home invasion, theft, and robbery happen throughout the country. Innocent bystanders can be at risk from criminal activity. The U.S. Embassy receives reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, at residences, in casinos, on hotel property, and aboard cruise ships. There have been armed robberies at supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, banks, and residences. Perpetrators typically conduct pre-attack surveillance. There were several reports of victims followed after closing a business in an attempt to steal the nightly deposit. The Bahamian government only loosely regulates the water sports rental industry. U.S. citizens have reported sexual assaults by jet-ski operators for a number of years. According to the criminal complaints, the majority of these sexual assaults occurred on relatively “safe” beaches on Paradise Island and along Cable Beach, which tourists frequent heavily. The Embassy has prohibited all personnel from using jet-skis operated by local nationals in New Providence since 2015. While some criminal activity occurs in the outlying Family Islands, it does so to a lesser degree than on New Providence and Grand Bahama Islands. Other Areas of Concern The U.S. Embassy placed The Sand Trap off-limits to personnel following a gang-related murder. The venue is on the north side of West Bay Street at the intersection with Saint Albans Drive. Exercise caution in areas of Nassau referred to as “Over the Hill,” especially after sunset. “Over the Hill” is generally south of the downtown Nassau area, from the entirety of Shirley Street as far south as Robinson Road. This area does not have distinct boundaries, but encompasses many lower-income areas on New Providence. Although the Bahamian government initiated a high-visibility effort to improve the area in 2018, it is too early to assess the effectiveness of their efforts. Cybersecurity Issues Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Although there was a 14% decrease in fatal traffic-related deaths in 2019, traffic fatalities are a major concern in The Bahamas. The Bahamian government introduced amendments to the Road Traffic Regulation and the Road Traffic Act in 2019. It is now a misdemeanor offense in The Bahamas to have an open alcohol container in your vehicle or to use a handheld communication device while driving. Additionally, it is now a law for all drivers to present their driver’s license and proof of registration if a police officer requests to see it. Traffic moves on the left side of the road in The Bahamas. Cars have struck tourists who failed to check properly for oncoming traffic; vehicles have struck runners and cyclists. Traffic circles are common, and traffic in the circles has the right of way. Traffic congestion in Nassau is prevalent. Drivers occasionally display antagonistic