“Fish Fry ‘no go’ zone in US alert” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “THE US State Department released an updated advisory for the country yesterday, telling its citizens to stay clear of popular cultural restaurant hub the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay at night.

Tourism Minister Dionisio D’ Aguilar told The Tribune the advisory was ‘odd and troubling’, adding he was ‘at a loss’ over why the State Department would opt to target the area given there is an on-site police station.

The advisory ranks The Bahamas at ‘Level 2: Exercise increase caution’, stating that violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults are common, even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.

The State Department maintained its stance banning embassy personnel from visiting the Sand Trap in Nassau or using Jet Ski rentals on New Providence; however, its latest warning strikes a major blow to one of the city’s major popular cultural offerings, the Fish Fry.”

Let me first state that I had no idea that there was a serious crime problem at the Fish Fry, and at no time have I ever felt  unsafe while there, whether it was in the day or the night so I found it appropriate for the government to go on the defensive.

“Where’s The Proof On Fish Fry Alert?” – The Tribune 11^th January 2018

Excerpt from this article; “THE US Department’s most recent advisory to its citizens warning them to avoid visiting the Fish Fry at night came as a ‘surprise’ to National Security Minister Marvin Dames, who told The Tribune yesterday Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officials were unaware of any serious issues of concern at the popular tourist attraction.”

This response would make sense because as I have stated I was unaware of any serious issues at the Fish Fry that would warrant the US State Department to issue such a warning that could possibly deal a ‘death blow’ to the popular tourist attraction and they should be made to account for the reasoning behind what could be viewed as nothing more than a reckless act.

This is not to say that just because I am unaware of any serious issue taking place that there were none but I feel that there are a number of us that frequent the Fish Fry that are wondering exactly what they would be referring to.

“Vendors blame police – Arawak Cay restaurant owners say there has been an uptick in crime in the area” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “The Arawak Cay Conch, Fish, Vegetable and Food Vendors Association yesterday claimed petty crime and robberies have proliferated at the at the popular strip of cultural restaurants on West bay Street due to a lack of police presence, despite a police station centrally located at the site, and another a short distance away.

According to the association’s president, Rodney Russell, a stakeholder in the restaurant ‘Red Snapper’, it was regrettable that a foreign entity has had to point out problems at the Fish Fry that the association has sought to address for more than a year.

‘The police [station] at Arawak Cay s undermanned,’ Russell claimed.

‘We have asked for police support.  We have not received police support.’

‘We have received harassment of our guest and visitors from the police moving cars and impeding the roads, creating a problem for business in Arawak Cay.’

‘…There is not sufficient police in Arawak Cay, especially on the weekend ad holidays or during the night.”

“There is not sufficient police..”?  But from what is being said here, it would seem that the police are a part of the problem.

To be serious, there seems to be no evidence to support the US issuing such an advisory that could negatively impact the livelihood of so many Bahamians, even if their number one priority is to protect the citizens of their country that are visiting our shores, because this should be done in a responsible manner.

So I support National Security Minister Marvin Dames, as he stands on a point of principle, and asks the United States State Department to provide the proof to warrant this advisory.

END