Coming and Going
Crime in Paradise

Sunday, August 24, 2008

CRIME IN PARADISE
Arrests in Antigua

Police in Antigua last week arrested several people in connection with the murder of a honeymooning British couple. Catherine and Benjamin Mullany, both 31, were shot by intruders July 27 as they slept in their beach cottage at Cocos, a 23-unit beachfront resort where all-inclusive suites start at $440 a night. Catherine, a pediatrician, died instantly, and Brian, a physiotherapist, died Aug. 3 after being taken back to the United Kingdom.

The killings have focused attention on Antigua's rising crime rate. The island, with 70,000 inhabitants, had 19 murders last year, and 11 so far this year; the usual rate is six or seven. Antigua's tourism officials have attempted to portray the murders as a tragic, but isolated, incident. About 250,000 tourists visit Antigua each year, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The last publicized tourist murders were in 1994, when four people, two originally from California, were found dead on a yacht off an isolated beach of Antigua's sister island, Barbuda.

The United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office report on Antigua and Barbuda cites the Mullany shootings, stating, "There has been an overall increase in crime in Antigua over recent months, including gun crime." The U.S. State Department also states that there has been an increase in violent crime in Antigua but adds, "This increase has not, for the most part, affected visitors to the island."

FOR FASHIONISTAS
Get Your Own Manolos

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park (50 Central Park South) has a one-day deal for shoe fanatics: On Sept. 12, snag jeweled "Something Blue" satin pumps just like Carrie Bradshaw's in the "Sex and the City" movie signed by designer Manolo Blahnik. Meet Blahnik, whose name is synonymous with expensive, stylish shoes, at an afternoon reception at Bergdorf Goodman's Fifth Avenue store, where the 4 1/4 -inch-heel sells for $945. The double-occupancy package starts at $1,999 (plus taxes, for a non-park-view room) and includes martinis in the Ritz's Star Lounge (normally $50) and an autographed copy of "Manolo Blahnik Drawings" (list price: $39.95, or $26.37 on Amazon.com). Alas, the package comes with just one $50 Bergdorf Goodman gift card (if you spend at least $500, with complimentary delivery to the Ritz), one La Prairie spa pedicure with champagne (normally $85 to $100) and one pair of shoes. Room alone starts at $895 normally. Details: Call the hotel at 866-671-6008 or 212-308-9100; http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/CentralPark/Default.htm.

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK

Southwest is offering sale fares to Florida. Fares start at $79 each way from BWI or Washington Dulles to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando or Tampa Bay; fare from BWI to Jacksonville starts at $79 each way. Nonstop service from Dulles to Orlando, for example, starts at $179 round trip with taxes; fare on other airlines starts at $226. Travel Sept. 2-Jan. 9; 21-day advance purchase required. Holiday blackout dates apply. Purchase by Sept. 2 at http://www.southwest.com. Info: http://www.southwest.com/landing/destinations_florida.html.

Reporting: Carol Sottili, Sue Kovach Shuman