NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Dozens of diners at Latitudes restaurant were wrongly ticketed on Wednesday night before Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle intervened to resolve the matter, according to a statement issued by the restaurant today.
In the statement, the restaurant’s owners thanked Rolle for clearing up what they termed a “misunderstanding” over the government’s emergency powers orders.
“The ownership of Latitudes restaurant at the Harbour Club Hotel and Marina, expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle after he intervened to stop the ticketing of their guests by police officers last night,” the statement read.
“Dozens of patrons were initially issued $300 tickets by police officers assigned to the COVID task force before Latitudes’ attorney, Wayne Munroe, who was also present at the establishment, reached out to the commissioner.
“Mr Munroe said the event was a misunderstanding of the emergency orders on the officers’ part, and even though his clients would have lost business due to this error, Latitudes has determined not to seek any legal action.”
Munroe was also quoted as expressing no hard feelings over the incident, stating: “We are all in this COVID battle together, and we must all do our part to keep each and every one of us safe.
“I want to take this opportunity to again thank the commissioner of police for making clear to his officers what the COVID orders said, and we want to encourage them to remain steadfast in their duties to protect us during this global pandemic.”
The restaurant’s owners added: “It was unfortunate that something like this had to occur, but we are truly appreciative of the quick intervention by the commissioner and his professionalism to resolve this matter swiftly.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our patrons and wish them a very merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing them in the coming days as we gear up for our New Year’s celebrations.”
Latitudes has also asked any patron who left before the incident was resolved to bring the COVID ticket they received back to the restaurant so that it can be duly returned to the police.
