U.S. officials tell staff Sand Trap 'off limits'
The Sand Trap was a bar, where in 2016, a few US Embassy personnel got into a brawl with some locals. The bar closed down shortly afterwards, so isn't even there anymore. However, since it is located almost next door to the US Embassy's own secure compound, perhaps they should change the advisory to say that visitors should avoid the 'US. Answer 1 of 12: I know crime happens and some of the areas I wanted to explore are in the 'sand trap' or 'over the hill' areas. I'm fond of the beaches, but one is in the sand trap area.
November 24, 2016
AMERICAN officials have declared that the St. Albans Drive nightspot, Sand Trap, is “off limits” for its employees and their families, citing the shooting death of a woman there last week and an “ongoing association with known criminal elements”.
- Apr 15, 2019 Although the family islands are not crime-free, the vast majority of crime occurs on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. Government personnel are not permitted to visit the area known by many visitors as the Sand Trap area in Nassau due to crime.
- Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault is common, even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. Government personnel are not permitted to visit the Sand Trap area in Nassau due to crime. Jet-ski operators are known to commit sexual assaults against tourists, including minors.
Part of a series of security messages released yesterday, the United States Embassy “strongly” recommended U.S. citizens to avoid “frequenting this establishment”.
Another advisory warned American citizens to avoid tomorrow’s ‘We March Black Friday’ civic demonstration.
The Embassy also issued a warning reminding its citizens in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos of the annual increase in crime during the holiday season.
For the Sand Trap, the statement described the establishment as the “launching point” for jet ski operators, a group the Embassy has repeatedly taken issue with in recent years. It claims that operators are “minimally regulated by government and also associated with criminal activity such as assault”.
A woman was killed and two people, a woman and a man, were hospitalised following a drive by shooting at the Sand Trap off West Bay Street around 8pm on November 14.
The shooting took the country’s murder count to 90 for the year.
Speaking to crime trends, the United States Embassy reminded US citizens in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos of the annual scourge in crime in these countries around the holiday season.
“This notice is intended to provide security information to help ensure a safe holiday season,” the statement said.
It continued: “Vigilance plays a key role in the early detection of danger. If you observe anything you perceive as suspicious or dangerous the best option is to move away immediately and call the police at 911 or 919 in the Bahamas, and 911 or 999 in Turks and Caicos.”
The Embassy said that perpetrators of residential crimes typically conduct “pre-attack surveillance”, insisting that the trend underscores the need for an increased awareness of common activities which can directly impact personal security.
Embassy officials warned its residents to think prudently about after dark travel, stressing that they avoid unlit areas where persons could hide and ambush unsuspecting persons, listing the Arawak Cay area as such a spot.
U.S. residents were also urged to keep wallets and purses close to their bodies while shopping or at restaurants around the Bahamas. The statement read: “Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, use an ATM/credit card when possible and check your credit card statements regularly for potential fraud or unauthorised charges. “
It continued: “Avoid using ATM machines located in isolated areas and consider using ATM machines located in locations that have security coverage. Be particularly aware of your surroundings when making withdrawals.”
“Keep your car doors locked and your windows rolled up, as you drive. Keep valuables out of sight when parked (including cell phones, laptops, cash, GPS, or other valuables). Utilise a car alarm or steering wheel locking device.”
“Do not display or wear expensive jewellery that may make you a target for criminals.”
“In crawling traffic or in a stopped line of cars, leave at least a half a car length between your vehicle and the car in front of you. If you believe you are being followed, drive immediately to a safe location such as a police station, a gas station, or a hotel. If travelling in an unfamiliar area use a GPS or map app on your cell phone to know where you are when driving.”
Embassy officials also recommended to its residents, that if confronted by armed criminals, that they should value their lives over any vehicle or valuable.
“Remember your vehicle or valuables are not worth your life or anyone else’s life. Try to remain calm, clearly display your hands and do not make any sudden moves that could be interpreted as resistance,” the warning added.
By Ricardo Wells, Tribune Staff Reporter
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News date : 11/24/2016 Category : Environment, Health, Tribune Stories
Raid at Sand Trap
November 24, 2016
Forty people, including 18 women, were arrested for questioning in reference to various offenses, including possession of dangerous drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms and breach of the Immigration Act during a raid at the Sand Trap on West Bay Street on Tuesday evening.
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethel said it took nearly two hours for his team to round up the suspects who are all residents of West Bay Street.
Bethel said tips by members of the public and police surveillance led to the arrests.
'Decent people in this country are fed up with criminality all over this country,' Bethel said.
'This is one of the areas we decided we will target because of the amount of criminal activities we identified.
'... There has been information of drug dealing, possession of unlicensed firearms and, in recent times, we had a shooting at this same location.
'Hence, we came here with a team to set everything in order.'
Last Monday, a young woman was murdered and two other people were injured after gunmen opened fire in a crowd at the Sand Trap.
Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy warned U.S. citizens to avoid the bar due to its alleged 'ongoing association with known criminal elements'.
The U.S. Embassy's residential property is immediately next to the establishment.
Bethel vowed that officers will continue to 'hunt down' criminals going into the Christmas season.
Nassau Sand Trap Area
He urged residents to continue to assist police.
'We will go after every individual who we suspect to be involved with crime,' he said.
'The good citizens of this country have been giving us good information.
'We ask everyone to continue to have faith in the police and continue to give us all the information you have on criminal activities in your district.
'We will come with force like this to dismantle any criminal operation that is being conducted.
'This is our push towards a peaceful Yuletide season.
Sand Trap Bahamas
'This type of activity by the police will continue on until the Christmas holiday and further on.'
Sand Trap Menu
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Sand Trap Nassau Bahamas
News date : 11/24/2016 Category : Crime, Nassau Guardian Stories