Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Prime Minister launches National Neighborhood Watch Council
#Bahamas, May 02, 2018 – Nassau – In keeping with its 2017 Manifesto which calls for establishment of a National Neighborhood Watch Council, the Free National Movement Government unveiled a comprehensive plan to prevent and reduce the incidence of crime throughout the country.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Hubert A. Minnis delivered the keynote address and officially launched the National Neighborhood Watch Council (NNWC) during a ceremony at Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at Police Headquarters on Monday, April 30, 2018. The initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of National Security and Neighborhood Watch Bahamas, whose collective goal is to help Bahamians make their families and residential areas safer from crime.
“Tonight, with the overwhelming support of numerous stakeholders, we are now delivering on this promise. The safety and security of the citizens and residents of The Bahamas remains a top priority of my government,” the Prime Minister said before a wide cross-section of the community.
The initiative is also based on one of the principles of Sir Robert Peel, regarded as the ‘Father of Policing,’ who said, “the police are simply members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”
The Prime Minister touted the NNWC “as an important aspect of our comprehensive plan to prevent and reduce crime.” He called on communities 
to play a more active and coordinated role in crime prevention in order for the nation to become even safer. Hence, the NNWC is a platform through which citizens and residents may be involved in devising and participating in activities that strengthen the security of their respective communities.
The Council, which is made up of neighborhood watch group leaders and civil society, is designed to provide evidence-based crime prevention support, and guidance, to existing neighborhood watch programmes. The Council will also facilitate the establishment, and strengthening of new neighborhood watch programmes throughout the country — including the inner city communities of New Providence.
“This programme will also bridge the gap between the police, and the community, in partnership, to address crime-related issues affecting neighborhoods,” the Prime Minister said. Each police division has a Liaison Officer who will provide logistical support to the various crime watch groups within that particular division.
The Council will formulate guidelines that will govern the management and operations of partnerships between the police and the community, explore the introduction of additional CCTVs and citizens patrols along with other crime prevention measures, partner with existing community youth groups, and encourage the establishment of initiatives geared toward at-risk youth, amongst other things.
The Prime Minister noted that the overall crime figures for the year are trending downward. This, due to the carefully thought-out and deliberate changes in the way law enforcement officials operates.
He also advised the individual crime watch associations not to take matters into their own hands. But, be vigilant and contact the police regarding any suspicious activity. “With proper organization and support from the public, the Council has the potential to become a powerful crime fighting tool, providing law enforcement officers with information, and intelligence that may help to prevent and detect crime,” the Prime Minister said.
By: Lindsay Thompson (BIS)
Photo Captions
Header: Prime Minister Minnis addresses launch of National Neighbourhood Watch Council (NNWC) on April 30, 2018 at Police Headquarters.
Insert: Launch at Police Headquarters on Monday – From left: Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield, Minister of State in the Ministry of Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson, and Speaker of the House of Assembly Halson Moultrie.
(BIS Photos/Peter Ramsay)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
