Among the vendors’ booths at the end of a magnificently hosted Australia vs. West Indies event, I ran into a retired police friend whom I hadn’t seen in years. After knocks and backslapping hugs, I could hardly take my eyes of that large, succulent steamed fish that was steadily disappearing on his plate. Then there was this young lady at his side. Unconcerned, she was swaying to the pulsating rhythms blasting for cricket fans seeking to wash away their sorrows. Could she be…?
“That’s my daughter” he said, as if reading my mind. “She was in a motor vehicle accident as a child and was in a coma for 3 weeks,” he continued, revealing the dreadful scars under her cap from her head trauma. Right there, it dawned on me anew that road fatalities are just the tip of the iceberg. Many more endure a lifetime of pain, disability and dependence. Which is why, I was so impressed with the stunning turn-around in seat belt use on the island. Impeccable timing. Despite the late blemish of a despicable assault and robbery on our guests – the best thing about this test match was how well we (and our weather) sparkled under the international spotlight.
Seat belt success
Truly delightful to now see 8, 9, 10 vehicles in a row – all with belted drivers! Watch this: not one road fatality since that frightening week at the time of Alkaline’s visit! https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/stay-well-sparkle-killer-roads/
The spectacular transformation confirms what we knew all along. We as a people are quite capable of profound change. The trick is getting beyond our pettiness and focusing on the big picture for mutual benefit.
Kudoos to the bus drivers, who have led by example! The same for Officer Wayne Letang of Dominica Fire & Rescue Services, Health Promotion Unit and the many others who helped make this Road Safety campaign a smashing success. Full credit goes to ASP Robertson Laurent and Inspector Mervin Pendenque and the entire Traffic Division. Basically they declared, “That’s it! We’re going to enforce laws on the books.” Speeding is still quite a problem; especially that sudden thunderous roar of a motorbike, overtaking like a bat out of hell. I still maintain nothing that makes a speed demon say, ‘Oui Bondieu!’ faster than the sight of a police officer with a radar gun pointing right in his direction.
For the most part, our nation does not fully appreciate the tremendous asset we have in Commissioner Daniel Carbon’s Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force. In my estimation, their level of professionalism well exceeds most countries on the planet. One does not have to listen to world news too long to conclude that keepers of the peace in many nations are rife with bribery while serving as a haven for bullies and tools of political intimidation. The moment public watchdogs take their eyes of the ball; any police force can degenerate into Ton-Ton Macoutes (Papa Doc/Haiti) or Mongoose Gangs (Gairy/Grenada). Dominicans are in no mood to let that happen here.
Sterner challenges
Salisbury has become synonymous with courage in Dominica, and some spew anger at police for their handling of the recent disturbances. I am grateful, on the other hand, that there was no bloodshed or major damage to public or private property. Suppressing a riot is never pretty, certainly not a job for kindergarten teachers. Police deployed crowd-control measures in textbook fashion. I believe officers exercised patient and prudent use of force, which prevented inflaming the crisis further. If the intent was subjugate the people with an iron fist, the police action failed. If it was to restore peace and safe transit along the main E.O. Leblanc highway, police action succeeded. If police are directed to make mass arrests of citizens who expressed legitimate grievances, they will follow orders. But I can tell you, not many of them feel such action would be either wise or needed to advance the cause of good order and tranquility.
So despite its successes, the Force has its challenges. Some blame shortfalls in community policing on promotions based on perceived in-your-face politics rather than performance. This is not good for police welfare. Morale is said to be low in some quarters. There is little motivation to go even the first mile to protect citizens, far less the extra mile. Nevertheless, officers I know go to work everyday, not just to feed their families, but also with the fervent belief that the Commonwealth Of Dominica (CDPF) can, and will do better.
A common refrain is the slowness of police response times. Oftentimes victims complain they are left to be their own detectives, to track down suspects and bring evidence to police before any action is taken. Increasingly, do-it-yourselfers subject themselves to additional risk of stalking and threats of violence, with little relief from the justice system.
I am in no position to determine how true all that is. No doubt, readers will educate us on their experiences. Suffice it to say, there’s much work to be done. But give jack his jacket. Police have issued over sixty warrants for seat belt violations, at $250 a pop. Furthermore, consider this. Wouldn’t it be a strategic masterstroke if the courts said something like:
The laws have been on the books for umpteen years and we just decided to enforce it. This is not going to be tou chaud, tou flam. I understand that the habit of fastening your seat belt is not yet ingrained in you. So I’m declaring a grace period, but there will be no going back. Don’t let it happen again. Instead go out there, encourage others to buckle up and help save lives.
And violators will. Police officers have done their good work. Now let mercy, wisdom and discretion reign in our courts. Granted, a grace period would forfeit the Treasury a few thousand dollars on the front end. However, in time it would reap a harvest of more eager compliance with a cost-saving road safety program already bringing forth much fruit.
Dr. Sam Christian is surgeon who runs the Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road. It offers general medical care, office surgery, acupuncture and microdermabrasion. He is Medical Adviser to the Cancer Society and Medical Officer for the Dominica Cadet Corps. To reach Dr. Christian, call 440-9133 or click here http://urgentcareda.weebly.com/
Thank you friend of the nation for understanding what I am trying to say it is very important for us to take control to change the entire system to suite our needs now. We are operating on a system that have nothing to do with us. A very simple thing do we test the Drugs we take in the caribean at the University of the westindes. We have to create brand new programs to suite us in the caribean. As you say we are not doing enough in no fronts thats all I have been trying to say. After 62 yrs wr have not made enough progress at the university we are following the rong model it have to change
And Salisbury Farmer makes good points in that UWI and our own college have done a poor job in applied science and research . US education encourages more research and writing on matters that affect the development process. In the British system we see most of the writing being done by Dominicans who studied in North America and not UWI. We must see a focus on compatible technology and less on lawyers who go around selling passport and do nothing for to advance indigenous development. Shame on an education system that does not encourage self confidence, knowledge of our history or the sciences applied to local needs. Tablet is no good if it is not tied to a comprehensive focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Foolish tablet politics of “freeness” and mental slavery.
Kudos to Dr. Christian for promoting health and safety via enforcement of seat belt laws. The country benefits where lives are saved or medical costs avoided when less people are hurt through wearing seat belts. I appeal to other professionals to adopt the community development orientation of Dr Christian. He is trying his best but cannot do it alone. More of us must join him in doing things to help the country not just talk and talk. God bless you Sir. My hero.
Sam christian cannot be serious to tell dominicans what happened in salsbury is synonymous with bravery.so what he is advocating any community with a problem should block the road,attack police ,clearing the road,attach media people covering the incident and civilians trying to go about their affairs.Awa doc you cannot be serious.if that action is bravery,then the dominican society id degenerating into anarchy.
Can anyone enlighten me on the three times in the past 30 years that Labour party blocked roads and how was that managed by the government in power.
If memory serves me right, once was at Thibaud and anorther at Canefield – by Rosie no less. Of course, now that he has been raised to political sainthood, we dare not criticize him. But we can wash our mout on Salisbury peeps for doing the very same thing.
But Doc, u looking vex u doh fish man!
Leave the police alone. They keeping us and our visitor’s safe.
I’m not sure what Salisbury has to do with seat belts but well-said anyway. I agree that police has a crucial role to play in development.
CDPF must modernize and upgrade law enforcement. Officers must remember their allegiance is to the people of Dominica. They must be strong to protect those who cannot protect themselves while being always ready deal boldly with those who abuse the system.
I think this article will help police feel more appreciated and confident in performing their sworn duties.
The police have to patrol the villages and my farm on Sundays , thieves steal my ground provision on sundays. A better job has to be done. Get ride of the British model sitting in Roseau doing nothing enforce the Law most of the Laws are on the books. When they give you transport dont use it to go after women and go to Roseau and do your own business take the bus. Keep the vechiles maintained. Chief do your job dont drink with the privates. To much rum drinking in the force you cannot keep order if you are a drunkard. There is never a police in the villages when you call them they take forever you can dye
Medicine dosage for Salisbury Farmer: A double-dose of SHUT-UP taken three time daily after meals!!!!
Dr Christian I trust you to tell me the truth? Why are more Caribean men suffer with Prostate Cancer than men any where else in the world. Who does the testing of the Drugs we take in the Caribean. Do the University of the Westindes does any testing if they do not what is their purpose as a University. Do we get Indian Drugs in the Caribean , its band in America and Europe. The indians do a number on African people the Drugs they supply them is horrible keep an eye on the indians. They are slick they and the Chinese have no standards. You see the pressure the European and Americans put on us when we have to ship them anything. Clinton is a traitor he help kill our banana industry in the Caribean, in the Bronx they call him the first Black president, he does not give Haitians money to build nothing, vote for his wife
We need more of Dr Christian in Dominica not more Lawyers, more good Engineering students to build factories and contractors the bid on all the big jobs to much of our money going to Barbados snd Guadelope . We need to abolish the British system and create our own. Shut the University of the Westindes down or change the model it keeps us like slaves begging for jobs. Where is the Dean of the schools .if I know the system is not working you mean they dont know. Just take a look at the Bahamas , who owns all the Banks. Name me one student that went there employing 100 people in any industries except Governments, what are we doing are we going to continue getting bad British Education and beg the Chinese and world bank for the rest of our lives. The Americans got it right give me Liberty or death
Well written my brother, as I always maintained, we have to be realistic and look and deal with any issues with a ballance with a concerted effort to bring solutions to any problems confronting us as a nation. Full marks to all those who came on board to arrest what I consider long over due. B we as people must see the business of law and order as everyone business. Good luck going forward cause law and order must be