Crime prevention is one of many priorities of Arawak Port Development (APD). That is why it is working with the Royal Bahamas Police Force to assist with the training of employees at the Nassau Container Port (NCP) and Gladstone Freight Terminal (GFT) to heighten their awareness and ability to respond to crimes or potential criminal activity at the two locations.

Smuggling of drugs, weapons, ammunition and stowaways present challenges for The Bahamas and ports of entry like NCP and cargo storage facilities like GFT can potentially be used to facilitate such illegal activity. APD’s decision to facilitate crime safety seminars at both locations and involve the Royal Bahamas Police Force demonstrates a commitment to strengthen the capacity of its staff to deal with such potential challenges and other possible criminal activity.

One the facilitators, Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, challenged the employees to always be alert of their surrounding and trust their instincts. Highlighting the country’s drug trafficking challenge, Dean noted the efforts of the Drug Enforcement and Intelligence Units of the force and its collaboration with officials at APD. “We work closely because we know that this is a critical port of entry. We have strategic operation,” said Dean, who described the police relationship with APD as a “mutual partnership”.

One of the major success stories of the collaboration between APD and law enforcement occurred earlier this year when a shipment of illegal weapons and ammunition were imported through NCP, resulting in the apprehension of the suspects.

“We have had one or two incidents where we’ve had successful operations because the employees are on the alert and the police are on the alert, so we have a good relationship. We are constantly in contact and always developing strategic plans,” said ACP Dean.

Despite the successes at NCP and GFT, he reminded the employees of the vulnerability of the port and assured them of the support and commitment of the police force to ensure the law is enforced.

The efforts of law enforcement are supplemented by the port’s sophisticated, state of the art cargo tracking and security system. The NAVIS terminal and vessel planning system allows NCP to link with carriers around the world and provide such benefits to stakeholders as control of equipment in port and container inspection and movement.

The Nassau Container Port is fully compliant with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code, which provides for the security of persons and goods. The system incorporates mobile patrols and electronic security surveillance, monitors electronic feeds from a control tower, and provides 24-hour, daily oversight of the entire facility.

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