The following is a security message from the U.S. Embassy:
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.
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 Facebookto 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.
