Street Crime in Nassau, Bahamas
First we witness a tourist robbery, then meet another tourist just robbed at gunpoint.
We’re standing on Bay Street, the main drag, while I’m checking email on my iPod.
“Hold onto your stuff, these guys are targeting us,” Bob said. I had the iPod in one hand, a good camera in the other. We’d planned to stroll down the beach to where we spent our first three years together. A seven-mile stroll, but one we’d done daily in the eighties, often on bikes.
I glanced up and saw the two suspects crossing toward us. Suddenly they caught sight of a better-looking target. A pair of men, one shirtless, who were cutting through the parking lot of the Hilton British Colonial, heading back to their room. As the scruffy suspects approached the tourists, Bob narrated: “They’re offering drugs,” he said. A tourist is offered drugs in Nassau as often as tourists are offered “copy watches” in Italy or Singapore.
Scene-of-the-crime
“Crack or weed,” was the actual offer.
“Weed,” the shirtless one said.
A deal was struck. $60 for an eighth, the victim later told us, twice what he pays in Canada, “but what the hell.” He pulled out the cash. The “dealer” grabbed it and ran. He dashed between cars in the parking lot, cut through a lush tropical border planting, jumped a five-foot wall, and ran down a side street. His partner had disappeared during the deal-making.
The victim, a Canadian, was both mad and bemused. A Bahamian man who’d also witnessed the robbery dragged the victim off to the police station. Interesting to see the story as slanted in the Nassau Tribune.
We gave up on visiting our old home and beach cove in Cable Beach. We wandered the streets and fended off a few more offers of pot. Do we really look like the target market?
Then we met the Ad Koens, a visitor from Holland. He’d gone on a Segway tour. At 11:00 in the morning his entire group, eight tourists and one Bahamian tour leader, were held up at gunpoint and made to spread-eagle on the ground. Another group of nine was already down.
The bandits wielded shotguns. They tied one man’s wrists to a long wooden plank placed across his back. Ad was kicked in his ribs, others were kicked in the head. “It was very, very professional,” Ad said. They demanded everything of value: cameras, video cameras, iPods, wallets, purses, GPS devices—everything the tourists had on them. One man lost a Rolex and a laptop. Eighteen men and women robbed, and the two scruffy thieves got away.
After the ordeal, all eighteen victims were taken to the police department to file reports. They were shown 500 mug shots, 25 to a page, each the size of a postage stamp. When Bob asked the victim how he’d rate the police-reporting experience on a scale of one to ten, the answer was “Zero to one. It was a joke.”
The two robberies were front-page news in Nassau on Saturday, November 21.
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Other posts:
- Street crime in Buenos Aires
- Street crime in Rome
- Crime in Port Moresby, PNG
- “How I mug,” as told by two muggers in Panama
I was one of the 18 with Ad. Rather I was in the first group that was robbed and Ad was in the second that came up on us.
This was an extremely scary event that just insured I will NEVER travel to Nassau again.
22 Nov 2009 at 6:58 pm
I am also a victim in the 2nd group and have been researching and found a series of articles about violent crimes against tourist recently in Nassau and have posted a warning on cruisecritic.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1095365
22 Nov 2009 at 9:00 pm
[...] here: Thiefhunters in Paradise » Street Crime in Nassau, Bahamas airport, barcelona, crime, flying, hoodwinked, hotel, naples, nassau, panama-cannons, rolex, [...]
23 Nov 2009 at 10:45 am
Thanks, Ronnie and Stacie, for writing.
First, I have to say how I feel for you, having gone through this horrendous ordeal. I can only imagine the fear you felt.
In our lectures, Bob and I focus on pickpockets and con artists and give extremely little advice about muggers and armed bandits. That breed is totally unpredictable and we just advise being compliant. Thank goodness you’re all okay. Still, I realize you’re left with a scar that won’t fade, and a memory that will haunt you.
Ronnie, your research is very useful. Thanks for gathering all those articles into one place.
Do you both agree with Ad that the whole police reporting process was a useless joke? If it’s any comfort, I can tell you there was actual value in the time-consuming process. The government is forced to acknowledge its crime problem and take immediate action. Notice that they actually called a press conference to publicize the incident and their intentions to do something about it. Tourism is vital to the Bahamas. They will pay attention!
23 Nov 2009 at 12:12 pm
@Bambi: Your first three years together were in the Bahamas. Poor you. You should get out more. Travel a bit. See the world. ;)
@You others: Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I hope things plane out after a while. Take care.
23 Nov 2009 at 1:08 pm
Thank you for taking the time to report this.
We will be going to Nassau for our fourth time on a Disney Wonder cruise.
In the past we have done various tours. One time we hired ‘Big D’ to take us around the island in a limo. We were thinking of doing this again or going to Atlantis but not anymore.
We were already worried do to the tourist robbery at the queen’s staircase last month. We felt if we stayed in a group we would be safe with our kids.
This was a tour and it was 18 people. The risk on this island has increased. This island is no longer safe no matter your numbers.
We have made the decision to stay onboard, spend the day on the ship at the pool and other onboard activities and spend more money back in Orlando Florida after the cruise.
November 23 2009
23 Nov 2009 at 1:15 pm
My wife and I were part of the”Disney 9″ who were robbed first on the segway tour. After exceptional island tours on both St. Croix and St. Thomas we were looking forward to this one due to the angle of it being on off-road segways.
I can only say that after the whole robbery, the chaos thereafter and the entire afternoon in a Nassau police station, there are more victims than just the 18 tourists and the guides from the tour.
There were children dresses up in their aqua green and white school uniforms heading home from school when we were finally being transported back to our respective boats. They are truly hurt as well. This island thrives on the money it receives from us tourists and incidents like what we went through makes this island poorer. My wife and I WILL NEVER COME HERE AGAIN. Our money will be spent else where and the those children will have an even bigger uphill battle to make a decent life for themselves.
Good bye Nassau. We never got to meet you and we’ll never see each other again.
23 Nov 2009 at 2:45 pm
Being a resident of the Bahamas I can understand how you feel. I have been robbed three times, so to be honest it is not just tourists being robbed. Growing up I remember my mother speaking of how she was conned out of a few bucks by a couple when she was in Florida, I witnessed it on one occasion as a man walked up to her and told her “I see something in you” I think this triggered memories for her and caused her to be very much on guard.
The point that I am trying to make is although I can relate to your ordeal, these things happen all around the world. Not just in the Bahamas. It has nothing to do with age, nationality, or environment. People make choices. White collar crime is a big thing in the US, Blue collar crime is a big thing all around the world. The rich and the poor alike steal. It has nothing to do with where they are from so lets just be honest about that much.
24 Nov 2009 at 11:02 am
dlaitinen, I like your point that this incident caused many more victims than the 18 people actually assaulted. Blame is difficult. I’m absolutely sure that both cruise lines did their due diligence in vetting the local tour operators. And the tour operators, too, seemed to provide competent tour leaders. There are always a few rogues around to ruin things for the rest of us. And as Bob and I always say, those who are desperate enough to resort to violence or the threat of violence are unpredictable. Luckily, they are rather rare.
24 Nov 2009 at 11:04 am
I live on Nassau Island in the Bahamas, and was very shocked to hear what happen to the 18 tourist visiting our beautiful shores. I am sure no amount of sorry can make up for the terrible experience you had, put know that all Bahamian are not thieves and we are not a violent people. I travel extensively and have had some bad experience even in the united states but I still go back on vacation because I know that all Americans ( or any other nationality) are not out to get me and even government system is not perfect , it is just a few in the whole scheme of thing that tries to make life hard for us. So visitors I am sadden by this bad experience, but I encourage you to visit us again sometime in the future.
24 Nov 2009 at 11:27 am
Hi, so sorry about what happened. I’m a Bahamian too but I don’t live there anymore. I’m sorry but I have to disagree with all the people trying to convince you to visit Nassau again. Who are we to tell you to go back to a place where you had such a traumatic experience? Actually, I think more tourists should stop travelling to Nassau, that way tourism will really suffer and then maybe those ruthless Bahamians will stop biting the hand that feeds them. Now, I’m not saying all Bahamians are criminals, but surely a drastic decline in the number one industry (tourism) will make EVERYONE open their eyes and do something about the crime problem there.
24 Nov 2009 at 12:16 pm
first i’ll like too say that i’m a bahamian who lived in the chippingham community for over 25yrs.1 block from where(BASH) is located or the so call earth-villaged or nature trails where the tourist got rob last friday. i want the pubil to know what the BAHAMAS GOVERMENT is not telling the cruise ship industry.that is BASH is a half way house that is used to host EX-CON’S AND RECOVERING DRUGS ADDICTS.MOST PEOPLE WHO LIVES IN THE EARTH VILLAGE ARE CRACK HEADS.WHAT WAS THE GOVERMENT THINKING WHEN THEY ALLOWED BASH A PLACE THAT HOST EX-CON’S WHO ARE JUST RELEASE FROM PRISON TO TAKE TOURIST ON NATURE TOURS.THOSE TOURIST WERE NOTTING BUT SITTING DUCKS.I KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING I LIVED THERE FOR OVER 25YRS. IF YOU DONT BELIVED WHAT I’M SAYING GO ON COLUMBUS AVE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT PLACE IS RUN NY CRACK HEADS.
24 Nov 2009 at 8:05 pm
Good day,
My humblest apologies to those that have suffered any type of traumatic experience at the hands of those cowards that robbed you.I am a proud Bahamian born and bred and offer deep condolences once again to any person remotely or directly affected by criminal activity during your visit here.
There is no excuse for what happened,absolutely none.When a person vacations, safety is of the utmost importance.To have that confidence tampered with by even isolated incidents, can ruin what the majority of the hard working and industrious persons of this country, have built over the past 50 years.
Moreover,despite recent ill events that have occurred within Nassau,the world over is suffering from a serious global recession that is now translating into higher crime rates the world over.Please do not see Nassau as just being the only place where crime has escalated,but then again,one tourist robbed is too many….
I conclude by admonishing the powers that be. to note the quick response time by the police,they have done their jobs,now it is time for the Minister and his court to perform theirs.
25 Nov 2009 at 5:08 pm
some update on the robbery that happened.. seems like the police does suspect it is an insider job
Miller said while the tourists were robbed on BASH’s property, the 18 visitors were on a tour with Caribbean Segway Tours — a company that has partnered with the rehabilitative center located on 170 acres.
He admitted yesterday that the suspect once underwent treatment at the rehabilitative center.
“The police are holding someone who was an employee of [Caribbean] Segway and was a former resident of BASH,” said Miller, whose claim was confirmed by head of the Central Detective Unit Superintendent Elsworth Moss.
read more here
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/national_local/993065400789.php
26 Nov 2009 at 2:41 am
[...] See the original post: Thiefhunters in Paradise » Street Crime in Nassau, Bahamas [...]
26 Nov 2009 at 3:25 am
Please get real people, are you trying to say that this wouldn’t or couldn’t have happened elsewhere??? The WORLD is in a recession and crime has always been a problem EVERYWHERE! Wherever people exist, you have good apple and bad apples, lets not judge based on a bad experience because it could have happened in your own HOME! It is very unfortunate, I agree, and very unexpected while trying to enjoy a vacation, but I’ll reiterate, it (crime) can happen anywhere….
26 Nov 2009 at 6:54 pm
We will be in Nassau on Friday, 11 December, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. We canceled our shore excursion today and plan to spend the day aboard ship.
29 Nov 2009 at 8:56 pm
[...] the brutal armed robbery of 18 tourists in Nassau three weeks ago, and our naive trek through the world’s most dangerous city, Port Moresby, [...]
10 Dec 2009 at 11:06 am
I was appalled to see the situation in Nassau when I visited there a couple of years ago. Nothing I read in advance gave me any warning.
Hotel front door locked at all times – you have to ring to be let into your own hotel. Locked iron gates everywhere. Every bank with a guard at the front door who will let you in – or not – at his discretion. Warnings from the locals not to be out after dark. Streets that are totally abandoned at night.
What kind of ‘tourist paradise’ is this?
I will avoid this inhospitable dangerous town forever and will recommend others to do the same.
04 Jan 2010 at 11:32 am
I lived on an outer island in Hawaii for 15 years.
the locals there hate visitors.
Welcome to hawaii, now leave.
they steal your money and spit on your memory.
They are one fraction of an inch from slitting the white mans throat. they hate blacks the most.
Be aware of the people/animals around you.
these posts are correct, Humans are evil creatures whereever you go. Don’t be stupid.
29 Jan 2010 at 2:58 pm
I’m extremely disappointed in the amount of crime in the Bahamas and the apparent lack of concern by the government. You would think that since their economy is very dependent on tourism that all crime would be severely punished and the pursuit of criminals would be aggressive.
We have been thinking of retiring to the Bahamas or elsewhere in the Caribbean but are now rethinking our options. There is no way I’ll make a million dollar investment in a country such as this. These people seem to enjoy biting the hand that feeds them. This isn’t the paradise that I’m looking for! They won’t get any of my money unless they clean up their problems.
12 Feb 2010 at 11:01 pm