State Dept.: Use 'Increased Caution' When in Nassau in Bahamas

The State Department issued a travel advisory urging U.S. residents to exercise "increased caution" when traveling to Nassau in the Bahamas following 18 murders there since the beginning of the year.

On Friday, the State Department posted a Level 2 travel advisory to its website, stating that the "majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands."

"In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population," the advisory said. "Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence."

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas went a step further, urging travelers to "exercise extreme caution" when traveling to Nassau.

"Murders have occurred in all hours including in broad daylight on the streets," the embassy said in a security alert on Wednesday. "Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders."

The embassy urged travelers to:

• Exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau).
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Keep a low profile.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Review your personal security plans.

Before the U.S. government issued its warnings, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said his administration will address the spike in murders with "more intrusive policing."

"We will not violate anyone's civil liberties, but you are likely to be impacted by more roadblocks and unannounced police action," Davis said, according to The Nassau Guardian.

"This may make you late for your appointments, or delay plans you have, but this is a small price to pay for the collective benefit of having our streets made safer, and our lives less blighted by murder and other violent crimes," he added.

Davis told The Nassau Guardian on Monday that the Bahamas is "a safe place to come" and invited tourists to continue to visit.

The State Department issues four alert levels: Level 1 (exercise normal precautions); Level 2 (exercise increased caution); Level 3 (reconsider travel); and Level 4 (do not travel).

Other Level 2 travel destinations include the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Denmark, India, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Panama, Italy, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

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