RESIDENTS bought alcohol from the Made Men Sporting Bar last week under the watchful gaze of a suspected rogue police officer despite Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ order that such establishments close during the COVID-19 crisis. Patrons included men and women from diverse age groups, many of whom The Tribune witnessed when conducting an investigation at the Faith Avenue North bar on Friday.
The doorman was happy to sell a Tribune reporter a half-dozen beers for $30 without asking any questions. The waiting time for the service was about 15 minutes.
Within hours of this newspaper’s visit, videos of the brazen undertaking circulated on social media, prompting newly-appointed Police Commissioner Paul Rolle to announce that an investigation has been launched into the matter.
He said he has no authority to permit any business to sell liquor nor has he sanctioned officers to be on the premises of liquor establishments during the coronavirus crisis.
“I received the video and I immediately launched an investigation into that,” he said during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. “We have the owner of that premises, he is in my custody and I will be putting him before the court (today). I’ve also asked the deputy commissioner to look into the allegations against the officer and I will come back to the public and inform the public of my decision.”
When The Tribune turned on to Faith Avenue on Friday, two police cars were immediately observed: one exited the street for Carmichael Road and the other exited the Made Men Sporting Bar property even as patrons trafficked liquor without disguise.
Another unmarked police car, a white Ford Taurus, was stationed about seven feet from the bar’s door, its tinted windows rolled all the way up and its engine humming.
The Tribune understands the officer at the centre of the controversy is a police superintendent. According to well-placed sources, the bar was open for at least a week, during which the unmarked police car was often stationed on the property.
Some patrons exited the bar with boxes of alcohol and nothing to disguise their purchase from passerby on the busy street.
As more and more people showed up, a line of about ten formed outside the bar. The doorman, appealing to social distancing, restricted how many could enter the business at one time.
One patron said he deserved to skip the line because he was there earlier that day. He had not tasted a Bud Light since lockdown began, he cried.
Another man wanted answers on how long the bar would remain open.
“I’m trying to keep this open for at least another hour,” said the doorman.
In the House of Assembly last month, Dr Minnis emphasised why he has closed liquor stores amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Medical personnel feel that at this point in time all resources should be utilised to fight the common enemy that we face and that is COVID.
“It is not unusual for a lot of resources to be diverted to the emergency room to deal with the effect of alcohol,” he said at the time.
“In addition some have questioned the social implications. Alcohol may relax the mind as they say and relieve the stress… Alcohol would certainly not relax my mind.”
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years ago
Commissioner Rolle will make sure nothing ever comes of this. No officers will be publicly named, severely reprimanded and/or sacked. And that's all fine with Minnis!
BahamasForBahamians 4 years ago
There is no need to name the officer... His picture is plastered in every Bahamian Group on facebook. The joke would be on Paul Rolle, the commissioner, if he start his contract off as a failure allowing these men to go free.
CatIslandBoy 3 years, 12 months ago
Obviously you don't know Paul Rolle
ThisIsOurs 4 years ago
I don't buy the "rogue" classification
cx 4 years ago
What pissed me off was how quick he said he arrested the owner. Any fines or jailtime the owner got the officers should get double.
stislez 3 years, 12 months ago
Exactly! How TF they arrest the owner already and the police closer to you! You are the commissioner of police and police do wrong and go for the owner of the bar 1st. I agree they should be arrested but u tryna tell the Bahamian people it easier to get the owner than the police GTFOH! I so tired of dese man dem bey! They really think Bahamian people stupid jed!
bogart 3 years, 12 months ago
...."We have that owner of the premises, he is in my custody and I will be putting him before the court (today). I've also asked the deputy commissioner to look into the allegations against the officer and I will come back to the public and inform the public of my decision."
...hmmmmm.......if there is the clearcut Lawful situation to be enforced...then why throw with such clearcut efficiency .....have the owner in custody.....have the owner to be putting "before the court (today)".....AND .......still be "looking into the allegations against the officer and I will come back to the public and inform the public of my decision."
moncurcool 3 years, 12 months ago
Ditto.
How you done investigate the owner but you have not investigated the police. How is it that he is putting the owner before the court but he has to ask his deputy to look into the police. Pure foolishness.
joeblow 3 years, 12 months ago
They were charging $5 per beer. I guess the police had to get their cut!
Clamshell 3 years, 12 months ago
Chargin’ “tourist prices” to the locals? Man, that’s harsh!
xtreme2x 3 years, 12 months ago
please think before we type. "TOURIST PRICE" After reading this many tourist will not come here for vacation.
Clamshell 3 years, 12 months ago
Hahaha ... you think the tourists don’t notice when they’re gettin’ fleeced? Ask anybody who ever checked out of a hotel here how they felt when the “advertised price” was inflated on the final bill by 33% through an endless list of fees and taxes.
I was once charged a “junior maid training program tax” at a Nassau beach hotel, when I spent a couple of nights there on a shopping trip from the Out Islands. Hah. Funny thing was, nobody cleaned the room the 2 nights I was there. LMAO.
On Eleuthera, at the tourist joints they charge $5-8 for a bottle of Kalik that’s $2-3 at the “locals” bars. Please.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 12 months ago
lol. noone have to tell the tourists about airport and hotel prices or that $5 for a beer is robbery. You thirsty so you pay it.
hrysippus 3 years, 12 months ago
And Once again the Bahamas Police force appears in a questionable appearance of impropriety.
Sickened 3 years, 12 months ago
The police were there doing their job... protecting an establishment. I kid. They were most likely hired by the owner to protect the premises while they we opened - illegally no less. LOL!!!
sheeprunner12 3 years, 12 months ago
Police officers do more PRIVATE work than their real job
stislez 3 years, 12 months ago
Tribune full of shit i hate how they does disable some comment sections.......
TalRussell 3 years, 12 months ago
Posted my first comment back when comrades Dr, Hubert, and sister Loretta were battling it out for the party's leadership post, and during my posting stretch, this heretoTribune pages I've had 3 disables and each time upon reflection I sided with the reason why the disabling occurred....so reflect, okay.
Yes, early, very early, in the leadership battle, I did, kinda, took short-run stab loan my voice behind the good Doc's run!
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