A United States Embassy warning issued last week to Americans living in and traveling to New Providence about recent reports of robberies tied to staged vehicle accidents in the capital, was yesterday said to be “a very serious concern” that has further implications for the tourism industry and the economy.
“We ought to be concerned about the content of the warning and the manner in which the [criminal] activity is being carried,” said Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Deputy Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday. “The first time this came to my attention was when the warning came out last week, and I think the reason we ought to be concerned is because the bulk of our economic activity is fueled by the tourism product, of which [the majority] originates from the United States.”
The embassy in Nassau said last Thursday that there have been reports in the local media of criminals using the staged accidents as “a ruse to rob the driver and passengers of their possessions”.
“In recent cases robbers have either hit or bumped the victim’s vehicle from behind, or stopped quickly to cause an accident. Once the cars are stopped, they will approach the driver in an attempt to rob the driver and passengers” said the embassy, which attributed the details to media reports, though it was unclear exactly which reports it was referring to.
“The U.S. Embassy would like to remind U.S. citizens to be extra vigilant when involved in a vehicle accident, and to keep windows closed and doors locked until you are able to assess the situation.”
Davis stressed that the warning further highlights the country’s high level of crime.
“This will perhaps have very serious consequences on our economy,” Davis said. “We need to find urgent means and ways to arrest the perpetrators of these criminal activities, but the government appears paralysed to do anything about it, particularly the high instances of violent crimes.”
Police at the time of the statement’s release did not offer any comment, but an official said yesterday that there were no known cases or reports of robberies tied to staged vehicle accidents.
Chairman of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Mark Humes said the international warning further highlights the level of criminal activity in Bahamian society, which he deemed is “out of control”.
“It does not bode well for the country and despite all the crime bills the government introduced, despite the national crime address and the other initiatives put in place, the government still has not been able to reduce crime essentially,” he said.
“It makes people more reluctant to come to The Bahamas, and once there are reports of increased criminality I don’t think you would want to come here. There are so many countries in this region where [tourists] can have a relaxed and safe time if The Bahamas can’t offer that.”
The statement by the U.S Embassy also said there is no indication that tourists are specifically being targeted.
Royston Jones Jr
The Nassau Guardian
