Dear Valued Community Members,
This morning, I, as President and representative of the Island Merchants Association (IMA), was urgently summoned to a meeting with the local police department. The authorities informed me of a concerning increase in criminal activity on our island. Specifically, home invasions have been occurring daily over the past several days, posing a significant threat to the safety and security of our community.
To protect yourselves and your property, we strongly urge all residents to refrain from keeping valuables, such as cash, jewelry, or other high-value items, in your homes. Instead, please consider securing these items in a safety deposit box or another secure off-site location(s) until the situation stabilizes.
Additionally, the police have issued specific guidance for jewelers and their vendors. To minimize the risk of theft during transportation, all jewelry deliveries must be conducted using professional armored transport services, such as Brinks or Pan American. The use of personal or non-secure vehicles for transporting valuable goods is strongly discouraged, as it significantly increases vulnerability to criminal activity.
We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately, and take all necessary precautions to safeguard your homes and businesses. The IMA board is committed to working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our island community. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any board member.
Let us stand together to keep our community safe and secure.
Sunny Khatnani
President
IMA
