The State Department just issued a travel warning urging U.S. travelers to “exercise increased caution in the Bahamas due to crime.” It cited armed robberies and sexual assaults, and urged travelers to be particularly careful in New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama Islands. It also specifically warned about problems with local watercraft.
The new warning is called a Level 2 warning, which is relatively mild. Level 1 urges travelers “to exercise normal precautions,” while Level 4 says, “do not travel.”
Still, the new warning said that “violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault, is common, even during the day and in tourist areas.” It singled out the Over the Hill neighborhood in Nassau and the Fish Fry, a popular tourist destination, on Arawak Cay in Nassau, particularly at night.
The State Department addressed the risk of local watercraft: “Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercraft are often not maintained. And many companies do not have safety certifications to operate in The Bahamas.”
It also said that “jet ski operators have been known to commit sexual assaults against tourists. As a result, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to use jet ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.”
The State Department warning comes as the Royal Bahamas Police Force reported that crime in the Bahamas has fallen significantly in the past two years. It was down 8 percent last year, compared to 2017, and down 14 percent in 2017 compared to 2016. Read more:
https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article226949124.htmll
