A United States travel advisory highlighting several of this country’s crime hotspots and which has caused quite a stir on social media, has been dismissed by Attorney General Dale Marshall, as much ado about nothing.
The AG explained that the US issues travel advisories for each country as a matter of course, and in fact Barbados still enjoys the USA’s lowest risk assessment. The advisory went viral on social media, but this morning the AG sought to assure Barbadians that the country’s stellar safety record was not in jeopardy.
“I have seen the document that has been circulating on social media. The United States issues advisories on every single country in the world and while the term travel advisory connotes some dire warning, it is nothing more than exactly that, a travel advisory. The lowest level of risk is represented by level one and the highest risk is represented by level four, Barbados is in the category of level one. So, we are in the same category as countries like Bermuda, while Jamaica and Trinidad are level two, but more importantly this travel advisory is merely advocating caution.
The March 5, 2019 advisory issued on the US Bureau of Consular affairs website urged its citizens not to visit Crab Hill, Ivy, Nelson Street, Wellington Street or Maxwell Coast Road. A local entertainment establishment was also listed on the areas that should be avoided. The notice went onto advise “increased caution” for the St Michael areas of Black Rock, Deacons, Carrington Village, Greenfields, New Orleans and the Pine. Barbados TODAY contacted the US Embassy in Wildey to clarify the rationale for the advisory and the singling out of the above-mentioned areas. Embassy officials promised to respond to queries by tomorrow.
However, Marshall contended that the sentiments of the advisory are no different from the cautionary note that he would issue to all Barbadians.
“We are becoming alarmed somewhat unnecessarily in this matter. The US issues a travel advisory for every single country in the world. In any country there are going to be places where people would recommend that you do not go. The advisory says to exercise normal precautions in Barbados. It does not say not to go to Barbados nor advise extraordinary precautions. I will also advise Barbadians and residents to exercise normal precautions in Barbados,” he explained, suggesting that he was aware of the issues in the areas mentioned.
The AG made it clear that Government’s plans to arrest crime, especially gun violence which accounted for nine of the 14 murders for the year so far, will continue to be rolled out. However, he was adamant that the advisory was not about to escalate the level of urgency.
Marshall stressed, “As the Attorney General of Barbados, I will tell you that when someone gets shot and killed it causes me to step up action. The same goes for if somebody is injured or robbed or when firearms come into Barbados. But action is not increased as a result of an advisory from a foreign state.”
Within the first month of the year, Barbados had recorded a higher murder rate than that of Trinidad and Tobago. There were eight murders in January which placed the murder rate at 2.8 per 100 thousand, while Trinidad, which has recorded 32 murders for the same period, had a rate of 2.3 per 100 thousand.
colvillemounsey@barbadostoday.bb
Much ado about nothing says the Minister. Ha!
Marshall has now earned his pick as a spinner for the West Indies Cricket team. Bad is good, but not so bad. The USA government has practically named every area in Barbados that its people should avoid, but Marshall says, don’t mind that, it is just a joke. I suppose he can always blame the DLP, and get away with it.
This man is just a talker a joker, the Priminister must get rid of him or else he will mess up the party….He seems as though he doesn’t know what is his job description.. He must remind himself the people of our country want to see something done about crime , not talk, talk….
As for the US ,no place in Barbados when it comes to crime is as like any of the US,
That’s why I always say ,only two places I would live in the world, Barbados or England……
This man was shouting the odds as loud as he could against the previous government, and now he is in power, he is just spouting more rubbish…….Just a waste of people votes……
Umm interesting, not surprise at all at this advisory
BARBADOS
03/05/2019
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/barbados-travel-advisory.html
Exercise normal precautions in Barbados.Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page. If you decide to travel to Barbados:
Do not travel to the following areas:
Crab Hill, St. Lucy
Ivy, St. Michael
Nelson Street, Bridgetown (at night)
Wellington Street, Bridgetown (at night)
Jolly Roger and Buccaneer Cruises (at night)
Maxwell Coast Road (at night)
Exercise increased caution in the following areas:
Black Rock
Deacons
Carrington Village
Green Fields
New Orleans
Pine
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on and .
Review the Crime and Safety Report for Barbados.
U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.
“…….. has been dismissed by Attorney General Dale Marshall, as much ado about nothing.”
“…..The AG explained that the US issues travel advisories for each country as a matter of course, and in fact Barbados still enjoys the USA’s lowest risk assessment. ”
YOU HEAR LIE, THAT IS LIE.
Barbados & Grenada 2018 Crime & Safety Report:
(PUBLISHED BY THE Americans)
Overall Crime and Safety Situation
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Barbados as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) response in tourist areas is usually timely and efficient, but response delays to the non-tourist, less populated and rural areas of the islands can be significant.
Medical Emergencies
Ambulance service in Barbados can be slow; therefore, for minor incidents, proceed to the emergency room at the FMH Emergency Medical Clinic or Sandy Crest Medical Center. In the event of a major accident/emergency, await the arrival of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) ambulance service or contact Island Care ambulance service at (246) 435-9425. There are six ambulances at the QEH and two at the Barbados Defense Force. Ambulance crews are allowed to perform CPR, and they are trained to administer IV’s and other advanced life support services
The’ lost decade’ it was downgrades but we felt safe the ‘gimme the vote and watch muh’ decade its travel advisories and we feel unsafe. Take your pick
CHEW ON THIS FAMILIES
The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) response in tourist areas is usually timely and efficient, but response delays to the non-tourist, less populated and rural areas of the islands can be significant.
now you see who is important and who is not.
Ambulance service in Barbados can be slow
Wow!!!!
This minister is the biggest “joke” that was ever given the job as a minister. Then again we could always blame the DLP. What a thing!!!!.
Of course not. You can just give us your silly looking grin and all will be well.
We are born here and we would never visit any of the areas day or night in the USA Advisory or go on those night cruises. Their staff are resident here and have local knowledge. so they are correct in Issuing these warnings.
Ex PM Stuart said the same silly thing about all the down grades, …. remember ?.
They both got dey bread buttered, so why worry. It’s a JOB FOR THE PM to solve.
Time to switch some of these fellas around but it will cause a stir, so therefore it will be business as usual.
He hoping that in the end it will work itself out.
By then I wonder how many will be laying in the graveyard.
Boy, I thought BRAF was the only one that was LOST, but here comes another clown which is seriously bad for the Country. BIM trying to dig itself out of a deep hole and can you imagine such words from your AG. I hope the PM get him in her office ASAP and give him a “dressing down” causing him to leave with tears in his eyes.
Our PM must not stay silent after hearing this statement from her/our AG.
It just won’t be right in the eyes of the IMF/we.
Lord this MP talk such crap at times…Stupes!…America should be the last to speak about crime when it is committed every second in that country.
There are certain ministers that the PM just can’t touch and he is one of them. so don’t hold your breath Alex.
For an Island that has a tourist economy one should be alarmed
On a good note, I notice that Government start the demolition of some derelict buildings across the Island and said “OWNERS WILL BE BILLED FOR ALL WORK CARRIED OUT”.
That’s great , now do the same to the “UNKEPT OPEN LOTS ” across the Island.
We will cut down on the rodent population.
as a bajan i was hoping and praying that this would never happen .the island that depends so much on tourism u never want this kind of stuff out there .people going on vacation always check the advisory out before they hit the road.tourism is all BIM have nothing else .and these damn fools is trying so very hard to screw it up. i wonder if they ever think about that lordy lordy lordy