Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Minister Dames Lauds ShotSpotter Contract Signing
#Nassau, January 24, 2019 – Bahamas – Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames said the signing between The Bahamas Government and ShotSpotter Technology was evidence of the Government’s 
commitment towards fulfilling its promise to equip The Bahamas’ law enforcement agencies with the best available technologies, to assist in the protection of citizens, visitors and national security.
“When we came into office 20 months ago we immediately recognised the challenges faced and we remained focused on our commitment as a new Government to explore all measures possible, to assist in the reduction of the unacceptable levels of crime and to return our communities to sanctuaries of peace,” Minister Dames said during the contract signing ceremony held at the SLS Baha Mar on January 23, 2019.
Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis also brought remarks at the ceremony. Among those present included a number of Cabinet Ministers, Senators and Members of Parliament; Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson; Deputy Commissioner Emrick Seymour and other senior police officers; Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel; Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services Charles Murphy; U.S. Charge d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers Stephanie Bowers and Deputy Chief of Missions Jamie Martin; and a number of senior Government officials.
Acting Permanent Secretary Eugene Poitier signed the contract on behalf of the Bahamas Government with Gary Bunyard, Senior Vice President Public Safety, ShotSpotter Technology, representing the company.
There were also displays showcasing a number of crime-fighting initiatives being implemented by the Police Force.
Minister Dames said the Government understood that any successful crime strategy must focus on a number of points, including the following: a well-trained and motivated Police Force; a Police Force that is respected by and is committed to the building of genuine partnerships with the communities it is mandated to serve; a Police Force that understands the importance of multi-agency relationships to the overall success in the crime fight; and the enactment of modern crime legislation to support the overall crime effort.
Also of importance, he continued, were adequate human resources consistent with population growth, national development and increased crime trends; the acquisition of modern equipment to ensure that officers are able to 
provide timely service to the communities they serve; and the use of modern and innovative crime fighting technology to assist in the overall crime fight.
“This afternoon, our Government is pleased to have you here to witness the official signing of the ShotSpotter contract between the Government of The Bahamas and ShotSpotter Technology, SST,” Minister Dames. “This contract signing is a testament to our Government’s pledge to deliver on one of the promises outlined in our Party’s Manifesto: gunshot detection devices.”
Minister Dames stated that the Government was, indeed, pleased to be partnering with ShotSpotter Technology to introduce this technology to The Bahamas.
“We have completed sufficient research and are satisfied that this technology will assist us in reducing the high numbers of gun related crime in The Bahamas,” Minister Dames said. “There is numerous evidence in the United States where this technology is aiding in the reduction of gunshot violence in high volume crime cities such as Chicago, where police are reporting double digit decreases in murders and shootings.”
Minister Dames noted that according to Fox News Channel in 2018, the city of Chicago saw a 43 per cent drop in shootings in 2017 and largely credited the drop in violent crime in dangerous neighbourhoods, such as Englewood, due to the use of its ShotSpotter technology.
“A CNN report this month states that homicides have dropped for a second year in a row due to data driven policing combined with technology such as crime cameras and gunshot detection systems,” he pointed out. “Forbes online edition reported that in 2017 in Fresno, California a gunman walked up to a Pacific and Electric Gas Truck and shot to death the employee inside.
“A ShotSpotter control room nearly 200 miles away detected the gunfire and alerted the police. Three people were killed by the gunman but he was in custody within four minutes and 13 seconds. The gunman fired 17 rounds and had lots more left but according to Police Chief Jerry Dyer and I quote: ‘That he did not kill other people was thanks to the ShotSpotter technology’, end quote.”
Minister Dames explained that in 2018, Police Commissioner Ferguson led a team to Miami Dade and Miami Gardens Police Departments and saw first-hand the ShotSpotter Technology in use.
“We ourselves have seen a 25 per cent reduction in homicides in 2018 thanks to the men and women of The Royal Bahamas Police Force,” Minister Dames said. “This ShotSpotter Technology will only bolster the strategic efforts of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to combat gun-related crime and further aid in the reduction of crime in our country.”
He added: “In closing, as the Minister responsible for National Security, I would like to reinforce our Government’s commitment to the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas that we will remain steadfast and driven in our continued efforts to reducing the level of crime in our country and keeping our citizens safe.”
By: Eric Rose
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames speaks during the Contract Signing Ceremony with ShotSpotter Technology at SLS Baha Mar on January 23, 2019.
(BIS Photo/Eric Rose)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
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