Dominica News Online (DNO) has been reliably informed of a robbery which occurred at the Syndicate Visitor Center on Thursday.
The center is located in the foothill of Morne Diablotin in the north of the island.
DNO was informed that four tourists and a certified tour guide were robbed of cash and valuables by armed men wearing masks.
No one was hurt in the incident and the matter has been reported to the Portsmouth Police Station.
In March this year four visitors were also robbed by masked men at the same location.
Omg noooo gone make it short on tourism.my goodness
Dear Citizens of Dominica,Part 3
We meet with several government officials and business owners, who expressed sadness and concern.
We have traveled extensively in the Caribbean and we understand the need to look out for ourselves. The lack of safety, security and manpower puts everyone at risk including your economy, businesses and people.
Until the safety and infrastructure issues are resolved we would not return or recommend others to visit. This is not written lightly, it truly is very sad to us because we fell in love with the country and people. You have a true jewel in your possession but you must make it safe within reason.
Dear Citizens of Dominica, Part 2:
After having time to reflect on the incident, we feel that security at your points of interest is severely lacking. You have a new tourist center up there that is locked and unattended. The government is putting its tourists and tour companies at risk. We are not talking petty crime either. This was armed robbery with lives threatened and shots fired. We were made to empty our pockets, take off our jewelry and lie face down on the trail. One of the men even attempted to cut the wallet out of my husband’s shorts with a machete.
The items taken meant nothing compared to our lives. Credit cards are easily cancelled. The cash taken was destined for the businesses of Dominica so that was stolen from you. It is sad to have lost our wedding rings; but the true lost is the long term relationship with your country.
Dear Citizens of Dominica, Part 1
We are the US couple who were robbed at gunpoint during a birdwatching tour at the Syndicate/ Waitukubulu National Trail Project. Let me begin by saying that we visited Dominica for 2 weeks and the robbery occurred the day before we left. Prior to that time we had a wonderful visit to your country. Our stay at the Fort Young Hotel was perfect. The staff took great care of us, the facility was great and the people were friendly and courteous at all times. Buddy Dive also contributed to our wonderful stay. The shop and staff is top notch as we’ve come to expect from Buddy Dive. The tour company affiliated with the hotel also provided very good service. We had hiked to Middleham Falls earlier in the week and truly enjoyed the time spent with our guide and requested to spend the birding trip with him. He was a true advocate for your country.
Nobody can tell me that these visitors and their guide were robbed by chance. They must have known they would be there at that remote spot at approx. which time and all they had to do was to set an ambush. Somebody somewhere was in cahoots with the robbers and gave them the details of this planned visit. This was not random.
In my opinion….At least one security officer should be stationed all sites deemed tourist attractions.
And what is one security officer going to do when the thugs show up?
In Haiti, they say ” Payi a bouke”! When will this foolishness end?
HOTEP!
This sight looks abandon
What is the cause of our tourist decline again???? LIAT??? Government or is it US????? Dominicans spent too much time blaming the wrong people while our business get robbed under our noses. UPP need to PICKET POLICE HEAD QUARTERS. That will be a change in the right direction.
Tell me !! Didn’t Peter Augustine asked for the name of that mountain to be changed to the mountain of peace????Just an observation…
Real quiet, remote,peaceful, area. I can recall back in the days,when I was back home,and would have traveled to Portsmouth and beyond on my way back to Roseau I would go up in there to take a 15- 20 min nap when I felt exhausted,since I didn’t want to drive that way. No one would bother you.I would see the farmers passing by and that’s about it.I guess, I won’t be able to do that anymore and that’s very sad….shameful….
Bro for real.. you serious? That is your comment and contribution to the issue? OK now I see why the call some of you Domi in Cans. Bro this is the best you can do? poor you garcon negre.
Lawmakers-please wake up from your sleep,and slumber, and pass legislation to protect our country, and it’s people. These criminals, and their criminal partners the lawyers who is making a mockery of the police officers who is investigating crimes in Dominica. Please give them the tools for them to carry out their duties, and that’s real legislation to keep the criminals behind bars. Domestic violence against our women, when visiting your country, you cannot put your clothes on a line to dry like the good old days, you have to sit down and watch them dry, or else the rest is history. The laws are outdated, please do something now to protect our fragile economy….. Dominicans, please stop bashing, let’s build our country.
This nonsense should not be happening in Dominica. We need surveillance at our site of interests, Dominica and Dominicans will loose out on an industry that is still growing in Dominica. These are the areas the police need to be visible. Can you imagine when these folks return to their home country, how many people are they going to share their story with? …..
Guys behave all yourselves eh. Skerrit already killed agriculture and all you trying to destroy tourism? When all you and Skerrit do these things to Dominica what shall our children turn to nou? Think twice before you act guys
That place too isolated and no police in sight. I’m not going there again my boy, it making me feel uneasy. A Wonderful advertisement for our hospitality!
second time no security,well ebeh wait for third time then,maybe that time somebody will get killed
Put a police man their
. But please fools don’t blame anyone. For this
Terre Berre!
With a fully loaded gun
Apprehend them, then BAIL them. A lawless place. Looks like the country survive on BAIL and Passport money.
Sad for Dominica..I wish these Criminals would at least read DNO and realize that their Idle crime has far reaching negative consequences…How can Dominica improve as a tourist destination if these crimes continue..I think this is equivalent to a charge of treason, because these robbers betray self and country by committing these acts..hope they get caught and severely punished!!
I don’t support it but I understand that is result of high unemployment and poverty in country, hungry people are doing what they need to survive.
The GOVT should stop bring this country to its knee with poverty.
The police are more out for people that swear at each other instead of looking for real hardened criminals..I hope foreigners are reading this page at list they will know that there is no security in dominica.
Smh, what will it take to curtail these crimes from happenings, have security posted from time to time in areas heavely traveled by locals and tourist alike, awareness, posted signs, securiyt cameras, posted at various points. if such incidents of crimes have happened at that location and others, it would appear there`s a partern and the, {MO} is clear, we cannot prevent every crime from taking place. But we can mitigate the chances of such ugly incident of crimes, which does not urgo well for our image, and promotion as a country that is safe and welcoming to visitors and explorers. We really need to step up our efforts in that regards, one crime is one too many. I`m really sicken and together we all have to be each others keeper. If we see something say something, or call and report crime and those who are responsible for committing those crimes. We all in this together. the blame game will not stop crime on its own.
,
This is state property. There should always be an armed officer present whenever tourist are visiting the area. Given the remote location of this site, it’s easy pickings for thieves. I employ the same tactics as a hunter. Crabs and manicou are snatched out of thin air and placed in my bag, before they realize what hit them. Thieves are no different. Well, it’s back to the hills for me. A partner of mine steering a boat tonight heading for Martinique, so I am trying to fill up a few bags to sell on the French side tonight. Christmas coming so I need to make as much money as possible.
crime and robbery is a ting u can never stop dem police and all doing it
Stupid people going to let us loose our tourism export too!?
Stupid people!
Everyone should cooperate with the authorities to get these stupid people who are likely to let the country loose so much $.
Stupid people!
Happy Thanksgiving from Roosevelt Skerrit!
All the Security was at the Parliament Building – We need to mind our business. We are inside out and upside down.
Lets just be thankful that NO one was hurt or killed it is only materials things, Thank God for spared lives…
second time !! and the Police ???
It is high time there be Policemen at the sites where tourists visit during cruise ship season this is UNACCEPTABLE
Why Do allu always attribute crime to unemployment? grow up and look at the bigger picture criminals are criminal whether the country has an abundance of jobs or not
Penville – History and Statistics show that there is a correlation with Crime and Unemployment. Employed people don’t commit such crimes – robbing persons of their moneys and possessions. Please note that I do not condone to any crime; however there is a need for employment to decrease the incidences of crime.
STUPES
The thieves in DA are making such a good impression on the name of tourism in DA that the tourists that have been here will never come back and the future potentials will never come. Things can only get worse with no many unemployed males that have the attitude of entitlement. People that have money in their pockets are less inclined to rob other people.
Jean penville u need to do a course in basic social studies or sociology. One of the many reasons for increase in crime is UNEMPLOYMENT.
Vanessa, from my experience most sociologists are wafflers and excusers. and honestly, I can not see how they make their money. We do not need sociologists to tell us what is wright or wrong. Sociology has no practical application.
When unemployment is high these are the results
That country tie up. i fed up of Dominica and some stupid people that living there.When you rob tourist how does that make the country look. Urghhh I fed up!!!!
Sweet Dominica they will still SAY.
no security ? look nonsense.