Fort Fincastle Vendors Raise Security Concerns After Latest Break-ins at Temporary Fort Charlotte Site

Advertisement

NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Vendors at Fort Charlotte say repeated break-ins have become an ongoing problem, with some now questioning what more can be done to protect their businesses and their livelihoods.

Shantel Sears – Vendor, Fort Charlotte

“Friday I’ve had a break-in. On Monday I’ve had a break-in, and they took a lot of my stuff. I mean, it is unbelievable.”

For Shantel Sears, walking into her stall Monday morning was a sight she says she wasn’t prepared for.

Bags, clothing, cups and other souvenirs that once filled her shop were gone.

And what made it even harder, Sears says she had already been hit just days before.

Shantel Sears – Vendor, Fort Charlotte

“When I walk in, I literally break down because I’m not used to seeing my shop this empty, and I scream for my help. I was like, ‘Crispin, they hit me again.'”

Sears estimates the merchandise taken is valued at close to five thousand dollars.

But for her, the loss goes beyond empty shelves and missing inventory.

She says this business helps her support her son who is away at school, and with no other source of income, starting over won’t be easy.

Shantel Sears – Vendor, Fort Charlotte

“I feel like just packing everything and leaving. But like I told you, I have a child away in school. My mind is saying me go and not to return until we go back to Fort Fincastle. But I don’t have another income.”

And this isn’t the first time Our News has been called to Fort Charlotte over vendors’ concerns about break-ins.

We reported on similar complaints back in December.

The Fort Fincastle vendors are temporarily operating at Fort Charlotte while renovations are carried out at their usual location.

Fort Fincastle Vendors Association President Tanya Fernander says security has been a recurring concern since the move.

She says at one point, vendors were so concerned they considered pooling their own money to hire a private security company.

But Fernander says they were told security would instead be provided at the site.

Tanya Fernander – President, Fort Fincastle Vendors Association

“If vendors are still getting break-ins, where are the security that you said that you put? You understand me? And because they’re on the blind side over there, they always getting hit.”