Assault and battery and crime against child

[charisma_48423]

We are still on board and they are trying to sweep it under the rug. Can I contact Fort Lauderdale police before we disembark tomorrow, and do you know if they will meet us and retain the perpetrators? I spoke with the legal team at the cruise line, and they will not give a police report unless I mail via USPS a request. I would like to make certain I get the assailants contact info for legal purposes. Thank you.

[donaldsc]

1 minute ago, charisma_48423 said:

We are still on board and they are trying to sweep it under the rug. Can I contact Fort Lauderdale police before we disembark tomorrow, and do you know if they will meet us and retain the perpetrators? I spoke with the legal team at the cruise line, and they will not give a police report unless I mail via USPS a request. I would like to make certain I get the assailants contact info for legal purposes. Thank you.

 

Something seems a bit fishy here.  I am sure that something happened and the OP may be not surprisingly over reacting but I can't imagine that the security people on the ship would ignore a crime of that magnitude.

 

DON

[charisma_48423]

The assaults were against family members because of reporting lewd and lascivious exhibition to minor under 16...if that matters, Don. Respectfully, crimes are covered up all the time on cruise ships. I'm sorry that I even asked. If I knew how to delete this, I would. The last thing needed at this point is unhelpful comments as I'm already upset enough. Thanks.

[Aquahound]

27 minutes ago, charisma_48423 said:

The assaults were against family members because of reporting lewd and lascivious exhibition to minor under 16...if that matters, Don. Respectfully, crimes are covered up all the time on cruise ships. I'm sorry that I even asked. If I knew how to delete this, I would. The last thing needed at this point is unhelpful comments as I'm already upset enough. Thanks.

 

This topic falls squarely in my wheelhouse.  Talk to the FBI.  Seriously.  They are lead on felony level crimes that occur on cruise ships involving US persons.  The cruise line will not provide a report to you right now because the incident reports they are generating are for reporting to landside L/E, such as the Bureau.  

 

Crimes are not typically "covered up" on cruise ships.  It might seem that way due to the complexity of jurisdictions spanning several venues (flag state, citizenry, location, etc), but I can assure you that action is taken.  In fact, the FBI mandates it.  

[ColeThornton]

1 hour ago, charisma_48423 said:

We are still on board and they are trying to sweep it under the rug. Can I contact Fort Lauderdale police before we disembark tomorrow, and do you know if they will meet us and retain the perpetrators? I spoke with the legal team at the cruise line, and they will not give a police report unless I mail via USPS a request. I would like to make certain I get the assailants contact info for legal purposes. Thank you.

 

 

Why don't you just contact the FLL police department for advice on what you can/should do?

[charisma_48423]

Thank you, I will. 

[GeezerCouple]

15 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

Why don't you just contact the FLL police department for advice on what you can/should do?

 

This, if you really think a crime has been committed.
But why would you wait to ask here?  Just call!

(Yes, it would be a $$ phone call, but if you think a crime has been committed .. and against a child..!?)

 

And now you have the suggestion to call the FBI.  Do that, too.

GC

[ontheweb]

2 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

This topic falls squarely in my wheelhouse.  Talk to the FBI.  Seriously.  They are lead on felony level crimes that occur on cruise ships involving US persons.  The cruise line will not provide a report to you right now because the incident reports they are generating are for reporting to landside L/E, such as the Bureau.  

 

Crimes are not typically "covered up" on cruise ships.  It might seem that way due to the complexity of jurisdictions spanning several venues (flag state, citizenry, location, etc), but I can assure you that action is taken.  In fact, the FBI mandates it.  

The OP should thank you for both your expertise and your practical advice.

[klfrodo]

Does FLL PD have any jurisdiction for a crime on a cruise ship in international waters?

Doesn't the FBI have jurisdiction?

[Aquahound]

5 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

Does FLL PD have any jurisdiction for a crime on a cruise ship in international waters?

Doesn't the FBI have jurisdiction?

 

That's where it gets complicated.  FBI is generally the lead when involving US persons.  USCG (CGIS) also has jurisdiction.  However, Florida was successful in claiming jurisdiction over certain crimes that occur on board if the ship's itinerary both starts and ends in Florida.  This would allow FLPD to arrest for incidents that wouldn't gain federal interest, such as domestic violence, petit theft, assaults, etc.

[whogo]

See if someone answers the phone.

 

miami.fbi.gov
(754) 703-2000

[Ferry_Watcher]

I have not been able to 'read between the lines' so I am unclear if the OP is a civilian witness to the assault of this child, or if the OP is associated with this child (same traveling party).

 

If the OP is a unrelated witness, could it be possible that the ship could be holding the suspected person(s) confined to their cabin, and they will be escorted out by the local FLPD as soon as the ship docks?  This is what happens in Seattle.

 

Or, if the OP is associated with the child victim, is it possible the ship (who may have already contacted local authorities), doesn't want to give suspects' details to the OP to make sure that there are no retaliation attempts against the accused by family or adult friends of the child.  Basically, let the local police handle it.

 

 

[bonsai3s]

* Speak to Guest Services...ask for Security.

 

* Report crime to Security.

 

* Go up the ranks...all the way to the Captain.

 

* Go to the Medical Unit.

 

* Document...document...document.

 

* If you don't get assistance...ask Guest Services to contact the FBI...report the incident.

[MBP&O2/O]

It is unclear to me as to whether the OP has actually witnessed this incident or is it 'hearsay'?

This would make a difference as to how the matter is initially dealt with. 

 

[Ferry_Watcher]

OP's ship should be disembarking today.  Hope we get a follow-up post.

[charisma_48423]

Thank you for the current number to the FBI, the number for them provided on the cruise website was no longer in service. I did contact them, as Broward sheriff said it was not their jurisdiction.

[Toofarfromthesea]

Please keep us updated.

[ontheweb]

I am not sure that the OP could keep us all updated even if he wishes to do so. It is not like the FBI is going to keep him updated because he is the one who reported it to them. Maybe someday if he is called as a witness, he will be able to do so. But if that happens it would not be in the immediate future.

[runner15km]

On 4/23/2023 at 4:53 PM, klfrodo said:

Does FLL PD have any jurisdiction for a crime on a cruise ship in international waters?

Doesn't the FBI have jurisdiction?

IDK but I did see NYPD escort a passenger off the ship when we returned back to NYC. 

[Elaine5715]

10 hours ago, runner15km said:

IDK but I did see NYPD escort a passenger off the ship when we returned back to NYC. 

Guests are escorted off returning cruise ships all the time when warrants are found.

[ontheweb]

8 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Guests are escorted off returning cruise ships all the time when warrants are found.

Agree, but isn't the screening process when the passenger list is turned in supposed to discover any warrants before the embarkation?

[Ferry_Watcher]

8 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Agree, but isn't the screening process when the passenger list is turned in supposed to discover any warrants before the embarkation?

The manifest of embarked passengers is submitted after all the passengers are embarked, and at that point the ship has left the pier. 

[ontheweb]

6 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

The manifest of embarked passengers is submitted after all the passengers are embarked, and at that point the ship has left the pier. 

OK, but I thought there was supposed to be a list of booked passengers that was turned in to some agency. Homeland Security?

[chengkp75]

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Agree, but isn't the screening process when the passenger list is turned in supposed to discover any warrants before the embarkation?

No.  This is a common myth among cruisers.  Some cruise lines will submit the passenger list to third party vetting companies, but they can only find out things that are public record, like registered sex offenders, but it is not required.  CBP, which falls under Homeland, doesn't really care about who leaves the country, only those entering the country, so the vetting process for CBP happens during the cruise.  

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

No.  This is a common myth among cruisers.  Some cruise lines will submit the passenger list to third party vetting companies, but they can only find out things that are public record, like registered sex offenders, but it is not required.  CBP, which falls under Homeland, doesn't really care about who leaves the country, only those entering the country, so the vetting process for CBP happens during the cruise.  

Thank you as always for sharing your knowledge.