Bahamas Gets Serious about Tourist Safety

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 001799

SIPDIS

BRIDGETOWN FOR LEGATT

E.O. 12958, N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC PGOV BF
SUBJECT: Bahamas Gets Serious about Tourist Safety



1. SUMMARY: In an effort to better protect tourists, the
Bahamian Government organized a major, high-level conference
to establish a public/private advisory board on visitor
safety. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and the Royal
Bahamas Police Force (RBPF),the meeting included frank talk
about safety concerns and specific suggestions for
improvement. The conference's goal was to establish a
permanent Visitor Safety and Security Board made up of both
public and private stakeholders that will make
recommendations regarding visitor safety and oversee
implementation of these changes. END SUMMARY.

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A Sobering Start
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2. The conference began dramatically with the showing of a
British news segment on the death of a two-year-old child on
the beach in the Bahamas in a commercial boating accident.
The video was harshly critical of the Bahamian government,
blaming it for poor regulation of the water sports industry.
The video ended with the reporter recommending that visitors
not come to the Bahamas. This self-critical opening set the
tone for the rest of the conference.

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Embassy Speakers
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3. The Ambassador, the ARSO, the Asst. LEGATT and the ACS
CONOFF all addressed the conference. The Ambassador
emphasized that visitors are becoming more concerned about
security and are choosing destinations based upon their
reputation for safety. The ARSO discussed the high level of
cooperation between the Bahamian Government and the USG,
including a variety of training and support programs under
Diplomatic Security's Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA).
Asst. LEGATT explained that the best way to prevent
terrorism is to prevent crime, and talked about the success
of New York's community-based policing program. CONOFF
described embassy activities for prevention of crime and
victim's assistance and highlighted the importance of
Bahamian efforts to build capacity on both fronts.

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Specific Suggestions
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4. During workshop sessions, the emphasis was on realistic,
high-impact programs. Major ideas discussed included:

-- Establishing a separate tourist police/patrol division to
prevent crime and enforce safety laws in tourist areas;

-- Establishing a tourist court, or creating a system to
give expedited handling and special processing to tourist
cases;

-- Establishing an "Amber Alert" program in the Bahamas;

-- Installing security cameras in all public tourist areas;

-- Distributing safety tips and other information in hotels
and with immigration cards on arrival;

-- Improving signage throughout the islands to delineate
tourist areas and keep tourists out of dangerous areas; and

-- Establishing victim assistance caseworkers in the MOT to
serve as a single point of contact and to monitor cases

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Summary
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5. The Bahamian Government must next decide the exact
composition of the advisory board. The board will then take
all of the ideas from the conference and develop specific
plans with schedules and price estimates for implementation.
The date set for the first meeting is November 1.


6. COMMENT: The conference had over 100 attendees from the
public and private sector and attracted high level speakers,
including the Minister of Tourism, the Acting Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, and the

SIPDIS
Deputy Police Commissioner. The overall tone was an
unflinching willingness to address the hard issues, with few
speakers being defensive or spinning the discussions. While
the agenda was impressive, implementing the many good ideas
will present many legal, policy, and resource challenges.
After its establishment, the advisory board will most likely
start with the most easily implemented ideas, and look to
build upon some early successes to gradually expand their
scope of action. From the outset, the Bahamian authorities
solicited Embassy input and participation, and have made
clear they are willing to work closely with us to enhance
the safety of American visitors to the Bahamas. The
Government's willingness to reach out to and engage the
private sector was also a welcome departure, reflecting the
recognition of the importance of this issue to the Bahamas
major economic sector. END COMMENT.

HARDT