标签： Bahamas

Freeport Primary School in Grand Bahama faced an unexpected closure this week after significant roof damage and mould were discovered, posing potential health and safety risks. The decision to shut down the campus was made by education officials, who swiftly relocated over 300 students and staff to nearby churches as a temporary solution. However, the makeshift arrangements at New Life Community Church proved inadequate, leading to an early dismissal of students on Wednesday morning. Parents were promptly informed to collect their children while officials adjusted their plans. District Superintendent Maneica Pratt explained that the school’s ageing infrastructure, exacerbated by recent heavy rainfall, had revealed vulnerabilities, including roof leaks and mould growth. Repair crews have since been mobilized to address these issues, with mould remediation and roof repairs now underway. In the interim, students will transition to virtual learning for two days, with teachers providing prepared learning packets for continuity. Pratt emphasized that the health and safety of students and staff remain the top priority, expressing confidence that the repairs will be completed swiftly, allowing for a safe return to the classroom. Freeport Primary, which serves approximately 360 students and employs 35 teachers, is expected to resume normal operations shortly.

The National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) has refuted claims of a joint management agreement with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) for the upcoming Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades. This denial comes in the wake of a video released by the Office of the Prime Minister, which suggested a collaborative effort between the two organizations. The video featured JCNP Chairman Dion Miller and NJC Chairman Andrew Pinder, alongside other Junkanoo community members, discussing a unified approach to the parades. Miller emphasized their commitment to advancing Junkanoo in the national interest, stating, ‘We’re excited to be at this point and to move forward together hand in hand to make Junkanoo one and whole for all.’ Pinder acknowledged the presence of key stakeholders, including the Parade Management Team, the Festival Committee, and longtime sponsor Sir Franklyn Wilson. However, the NJC later clarified that the meeting was not a formal engagement with the JCNP but rather a discussion with representatives of the Shell Saxon Superstars. The NJC stated, ‘To be clear, no agreement for joint management between the NJC and the JCNP exists.’ The committee confirmed that the 2025/2026 parades would be managed exclusively by its appointed Parade Management Team, led by former Deputy Commissioner of Police Douglas Hanna, under the oversight of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. The NJC reiterated its commitment to transparency and fairness in managing the parade season, ensuring the integrity of Junkanoo. Efforts to reach Dion Miller for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Two police officers in the Bahamas are facing serious charges and potential dismissal following a disturbing incident involving the inhumane treatment of a detained American woman. Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles confirmed the charges to The Tribune, though specific details were not disclosed. The incident, which occurred in July, was captured in a graphic video that circulated widely on social media, sparking widespread public outrage. The footage shows a half-naked Caucasian woman pleading to use a bathroom while officers appear to mock her. Racial slurs were exchanged during the ordeal. The woman was ultimately forced to defecate on the police station floor, with officers audibly reacting to the smell. The video, believed to have been recorded on a personal device rather than a police body camera, has raised concerns about the conduct and professionalism of the officers involved. National Security Minister Wayne Munroe emphasized that the recording violated Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) policy and underscored the importance of treating detainees with dignity. Attorney Christina Galanos, a detainee rights advocate, condemned the incident as a severe violation of the woman’s rights and warned of the lasting harm the viral footage could inflict on her life and reputation. She also criticized the officers’ failure to de-escalate the situation, calling it a reflection of a troubling lack of professionalism. The US Embassy has called for accountability, urging the RBPF to ensure such incidents do not recur. The case has drawn international attention, with concerns about its impact on the Bahamas’ reputation and tourism industry.

A deepening divide in the governance of Junkanoo, a vibrant cultural festival in The Bahamas, has taken center stage as One Family, a prominent Junkanoo group, publicly declared its support for the government’s National Junkanoo Committee (NJC). This move comes in direct opposition to the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence’s (JCNP) proposal to host independent parades this holiday season. The JCNP had announced plans to organize two separate community Junkanoo events on Bay Street in December and January, timed to avoid clashing with the official government-sponsored parades. One Family, initially listed as a participant in the JCNP’s events, has now distanced itself from the plan. Vernon Rolle, chairman of One Family, emphasized that the group’s decision was unanimous during a recent meeting. He stated, ‘We are mandated to participate in the parade that the government is a part of,’ citing the government’s financial support as a key factor. Rolle also criticized the JCNP’s approach, suggesting that the rivalry between the two entities is detrimental to Junkanoo and the Bahamian people. Meanwhile, the NJC has dismissed claims of major groups withdrawing from its parades, asserting that preparations are progressing smoothly. The JCNP, however, remains hopeful for a resolution, with plans to meet with the Prime Minister. John Williams, the JCNP’s public relations officer, expressed optimism, stating, ‘We just want to make sure that everybody is satisfied and we have participation for Christmas and the New Year.’

A violent altercation outside a nightclub on Baillou Hill Road has resulted in the death of a prison officer and injuries to three other men, sparking widespread grief and concern in the community. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning, has left the small community of Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, in mourning. The deceased has been identified as Ashantino Johnson, a correctional officer from the area. According to police reports, the altercation began inside Blu Ice Reloaded, a popular nightclub and restaurant, where a dispute escalated into violence. Three men, aged 21, 23, and 28, were stabbed during the confrontation. As the chaos spilled outside the establishment, a male suspect reportedly engaged in a physical struggle with an off-duty police officer. During the scuffle, the officer’s service weapon was discharged, grazing the suspect in the head. All four men, including the three stabbing victims and the man who was shot, were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Tragically, Johnson, the 23-year-old victim, succumbed to his injuries. Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Sylvanus Petty, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a tragedy that has profoundly affected the community. Police have confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing, as they work to piece together the events that led to this fatal encounter.

Attorney David P Cash has initiated a Supreme Court claim against the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General, alleging unlawful arrest, assault, and constitutional rights violations during an incident in Freeport last year. The claim, filed last week, details accusations against officers at the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama, where Mr Cash was reportedly detained for 12 hours, assaulted, and charged with disorderly behavior and obscene language. These charges were dismissed in July 2023 by Magistrate Laquay Laing, who ruled that Mr Cash’s actions were merely those of an attorney passionately defending his client’s rights.

According to court documents, Mr Cash asserts that he was denied access to his client, Mermaid ‘Mervie’ Knowles, who was in custody at the time. He claims he was grabbed by the collar by a sergeant, dragged to the front desk, and placed in an unsanitary, overheated cell with limited access to restroom facilities and legal counsel. Mr Cash described the experience as humiliating and traumatic, causing post-traumatic stress and damage to his professional reputation, exacerbated by national media coverage of his arrest and prosecution.

In his filing, Mr Cash is seeking $11,390 in special damages to cover expenses such as airfare, car rental, accommodation, and legal representation related to the incident. Additionally, he is pursuing general, aggravated, exemplary, and vindicatory damages for alleged breaches of his constitutional rights under Articles 17, 19, 20, and 25 of the Constitution. The defendants, the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General, are being sued in their official capacities under the Crown Proceedings Act.