Vagrant issue surfaces again

A vagrant searches for something in a drain in Roseau
A vagrant searches for something in a drain in Roseau

The longstanding issue of vagrancy in Roseau has re-surfaced with new Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, saying the matter must be dealt with.

“There has to be a way whereby we can pick up the vagrants, clean them, feed them, try to rehabilitate them or find some kind of jobs for them,” he said on state-owned DBS Radio’s ‘Talking Point’ Program on Monday.

He noted a program for dealing with the problem has to be sustainable.

“You cannot just pick up somebody today and say it’s for the cruise ship and tomorrow you put them back down …” he said. “It’s not going to work, so we really have to find a humanitarian and a very holistic way of dealing with it.”

Tonge noted further that there are steps that can be taken to ensure that vagrants are clean.

“If a vagrant comes up to you and he is clean and he ask you for money it is kind of different from when he is smelling and not looking unkempt,” he stated.

Tonge pointed out that a police presence is necessary to ensure that they can quickly deal with a problem of vagrant harassment.

“There are many little things that we can do in the meantime before we have a proper policy in place,” he said.

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50 Comments

  1. February 26, 2015

    Vagrants: Homeless people. People begging in the streets.

    We must stop thinking of these people as THE problem. The VAGRANT is not a problem. He (she) is somebody WITH a problem.

    A few years ago in Toronto the police and city workers raided an area where many of these poor, homeless (and often sick) people were camped out. They destroyed their make shift huts and pulled down their cardboard dwellings. The vagrants with their blankets, pots, and pans headed for the streets and disappeared into the crowds. They eventually found other places to settle.

    The right approach is to attack the problems that made these people what they are. Help them shed the vices that have robbed them of their dignity. They are human beings created in the image of God even if that image has been marred by sin. God is for a new beginning! :-D

    What they need is the gospel of Jesus Christ! Read John 3:16. Romans 5:6-8, John 10:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…

  2. Trevor Fabien
    February 26, 2015

    To Emile Zapatos

    Great work there. It just shows that there is no strategy by the government to deal with the big elephant in the room. Every government minister especially the tourism minster is pointing at the elephant in the room and no one has done anything about it, based on the links you have kindly made available in your comments.

    It clearly shows a trend of sheer and utter incompetence by this government. If you don`t mind I would like to use the links in my comments.

    The truth cannot hide. Have a look people.
    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/business/more-public-cooperation-needed-to-solve-traffic-problems-in-roseau-pm/

    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/environment/scotland-wants-review-of-liter-act-address-vagrants-in-roseau/

    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/roseau-vagrancy-problem-unresolved/

  3. True
    February 26, 2015

    Real Dominican educate yourself and stop being so naive. I would suggest you read the adapted version of Alan Smith(Wealth of Nations) and maybe just maybe if you understand what he(Alan Smith) talks about then you would not say that Dominicans always attribute everything to politics. Shallow minded Real Dominican. I am disappointed to say the least

  4. Trevor Fabien
    February 26, 2015

    Dear Real Dominican

    Firstly, I am entitled to my opinion like any other Dominican and secondly it is not the responsibility of every Dominican to fix the vagrant problem. This problem is a social one which needs to be addressed urgently. The government has had no strategy to tackle such a problem and continue to be clueless. Why is there not a dedicated health professional team specifically designed to work with these people, house these persons so they can be monitored by the health team which would be made up of Doctors, Mentors, Psychologist and Mental health Nurses and so on.

    Some of these homeless persons are mentally ill and may never be able to fit back into society as people who contribute positively, so therefore they will need medical help for the foreseeable future. The persons who can be rehabilitated should be given a second chance at life but how can we do that if the able bodied persons are unable to get the basic help they need? So Please Real Dominican,it is my…

  5. Augustine Lockhart
    February 25, 2015

    I’m trying to get the point here. The vagrants are the least of the problem. Those tourist especially the American ones see more vagrants than that daily. Find something of more importance.

  6. Real Dominican
    February 25, 2015

    Mr. Trevor Fabien, If you have a plan to fix this vagrancy problem, You as an individual should talk to Mr. Tonge, the minister of tourism,what your plans are to improve this problem. Dominica belongs to all of us. We know that vagrancy has plague Dominica for a long time. This is a serious problem, therefore every individual may have some solution that they can suggest to the minister of tourism. I am sure that he will listen to your suggestions. I have read mostly all the comments on this issue, some are genuine, some are politcal, but as Dominicans we are all affected by this problem. My suggestion is the Government should form a community of health,Mental,Drug and alcohol enforcement team and the social media who should have the experience to tackle this issue. Dominicans are waiting on the government to solve all our problem. Dominica is our home, we should all give a helping hand to solve this vagrancy problem.

  7. Annoymous Reader
    February 25, 2015

    I fully agree that most of the vagrants are on crack. A lot of them are not interested in getting off it. I remember speaking to a family friend who is a vagrant and when I asked him if he is not fed up of living that kind of ‘life’ he said ‘THIS’ is the life. He said he has no worries, no stress no woman to let him down, and he is happy. He said as long as he gets enough to buy a ‘little’ bit to eat and enough to get him his next high, he is happy. So when we’re thinking of doing ‘something’ about the vagrant problem we must consider all aspects of the situation. I hope ‘we’ will also be doing something about the dog shit and garbage in Roseau too. I have seen a tourist happily taking pictures of those sights and also dilapidated buildings too.

  8. Emile Zapatos
    February 25, 2015
  9. Emile Zapatos
    February 25, 2015
  10. Emile Zapatos
    February 25, 2015
  11. Truth and Justice
    February 25, 2015

    Dominica is not unique in having beggars, in fact biggercities have a bigger problem with beggers than Dominica has. However the problem can be solved if the government developes a social policy where social services and not the PM givel out money to people on a Wednesday. Dominica needs a comprehensive responsible social policy to care for the under privilage of the society.

  12. Truth and Justice
    February 25, 2015

    Mr. Tonge I applaud your magnimous and humanitarium approach to the problem of the mentally ill and the beggers who because of substance abuse, or disability or just the lure of making a quickbuck by begging now plague our society. However, our concernshould not be just about the Cruise ship passengers but about these members of our society who need help. we shouldlook at the bigger pictureof developing a social systemwheretheseweaker members of our society are being caredfor 365 days a year and not just when we areconcerned about the crusie ship passengers.

  13. February 25, 2015

    Obviously here are intelligent people on your beautiful island. I have read some excellent ideas in their comments on this page. This is the type of article that brings the best out of people who care about their homeland. They respond to anything that is a blight on their image and righty so.

    What you need is a few folks who will take up this cause by putting legs under the suggestions which have
    been made here. They are workable! Have a meeting. Organize. Choose a name, appoint officers, set an agenda, and delegate responsibilities. Plan to meet once a month or more often to report on your progress. Open a bank account! Inform the media!

    By now you know this is not something that can be left for the government to do. How long have you been waiting? It is a “people problem” and it CAN be solved by the people – people like you! :-P It is time to come to the table!

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  14. February 25, 2015

    Vagrancy is not only a Dominican problem.

    Here in Canada we have a problem in Toronto with what we call the “homeless”. We see them literally sleeping on the streets near the downtown core even on the coldest nights of winter. The city and non-government organizations send outreach teams into the streets to rescue them. They take some to emergency shelters.

    There are issues that need to be addressed.

    Mental illness is sometimes a problem among the street people.

    Alcohol plays a part.

    Hard drugs are often a factor.

    Incredibly many refuse to leave the street for a shelter. They say they feel safer on the street. In shelters they’ve been robbed, beaten, or raped.

    We would like to see the government doing more to treat the problems that have driven these people into the streets.

    The large inner city churches boast about how much they give to foreign missions but some are neglecting the needy at their own doorstep.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International…

  15. February 25, 2015

    Is it in Blacks D and A not to keep places clean. You see the problem in every country where Blacks live.

  16. Tourism addict
    February 25, 2015

    To resolve this issue in Dominica, all the Ministry of Tourism or the Government of Dominica has to do:
    1. Build a facility for these people. fenced up but spacious so they’ll be able to roam and have a curriculum activities in the yard….. Safe environment, where they won’t be harm and will be given their medication on time and daily..
    2. Employ Dominicans to take care of them(Cooks, Cleaners, Security. etc) whereas the unemployment rate would decrease.
    That’s all…….

  17. Ma Moses
    February 25, 2015

    A cleaned-up vagrant is still a vagrant i.e a person without a permanent home or job. Somebody said that we should be more optimistic but that would be easier if we could see some real action to tackle this problem. Optimism alone does not solve much.

  18. grell
    February 25, 2015

    Dominica is moving backward instead of forward with this issue,while Skerrit continue to become a multi millionaire,the poor keeps on suffering.SMH.

  19. Sandra
    February 25, 2015

    As well as getting hassled by beggars, tourists are getting the same hassle from taxi drivers. They don’t want hassle – they are on holiday!
    We should follow Antigua’s example, with a taxi stand which states clear prices for all trips. Tourists then have the confidence that they are not getting “ripped off” which means more of them will take taxi trips. Drivers pay a nominal fee to pay the wages of the taxi stand operator. Because the tourists know they are paying a fair price. They are happy to tip. Because the taxi drivers know they will definitely get a tip, they will work hard to earn it by being extra friendly and helpful. Dominica’s Customer Service rating improves.

    Wins all round.

  20. Sandra
    February 25, 2015

    Same comments every year. Nothing is ever done. And there are more homeless sleeping on the street, on unused market stalls, etc than ever. Last week, I watched a group of tourists from the ship being stalked relentlessly by Paros, while 5 police stood yards away doing nothing. Dominica has fought for the return of the Carnival cruise ship, but what has actually been done to improve Customer Satisfaction?

    Why not get a committee of a range of people affected by this problem to come up with ideas and then implement them?

    For example, everyone has small change and bills when leaving a island. Why not have a collection box on the cruise ship berth, with a huge poster saying Dominica is trying to improve by helping the homeless, and donations of leftover change would directly support this cause. (2000 tourists potentially leaving an average of $1us each per docking) homeless are put to work cleaning the town, they are monitored. In return, they are fed, bathed and get a bed at night.

  21. VIP
    February 25, 2015

    wa happen my padner pic alone allu have man

    • Titiwi
      February 25, 2015

      Actually I respect DNO for that. To show a vagrants’ face does not show any respect,

  22. Jaime Lewis
    February 24, 2015

    Mr. Minister: Please do not keep us waiting too long before there is action on this issue. For years we have been hearing officials talk about this problem, and there has been no action to follow up.

  23. out of south city
    February 24, 2015

    A step in the right direction. I detest the term “vagrant”. We just settle for any and all names that are used. We have to redefine certain terms. Yes, the less fortunate or homeless are human beings who were not born that way. Maybe some encountered some difficult time in their life’s journey. They are grandfathers, fathers, brothers, uncles cousins,friends, neighbours, what have you. They deserve to be treated with love and care just like all other individuals in society. They deserve to be cared for on an ongoing basis so that they can once again function in society. We must not despise, shun or ill-treat them because they have feelings just like anyone of us. Trust that some programmes will really be put in place to assist them.

    • February 25, 2015

      This is an intelligent and caring comment.

      I am not a Dominican so I beg you to forgive me for wading in. DNO is read and appreciated in my country (Canada). Also we have the homeless/street people problem here but it is compounded by the cold winter weather.

      What we have found is that some of the street people actually have a good education and once held high paying jobs. They fell onto hard times and became alienated from their families. Some because of alcohol. But others because of a series of setbacks that were no fault of their own. I could tell you of a homeless former registered nurse who died in the street (in a bus shelter). It was found that she was very well to do but had totally lost her way in life. I personally know the family of a famous aboriginal Canadian artist who died homeless in the street. Alcohol and the cold were factors.

      These people can be helped. Understanding and love can make a difference.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International…

      • February 26, 2015

        Dominicans are especially conscious of vagrancy because they feel the sight of people begging in the streets is offensive to the tourists.

        I can assure you many tourists have seen vagrancy in their own homelands. I did not see it first in the Caribbean. I saw it first in Toronto, Canada. However, I congratulate you for wanting to rid your beautiful island of the problem.

        Today I realized many well meaning people are approaching the problem from the wrong direction. They are approaching it from behind instead of from in front.

        FROM BEHIND: They identify with how it impacts the outsiders, the visitors, the tourists. They fuss about what will people think? What does it do to our tourist trade?

        FROM IN FRONT: The question should not be how can we get these miserable wretches off the streets to make our land more attractive? The question should be how can we help these street people find healing and a new life?

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

      • February 26, 2015

        In our case most of our homeless are not merely people who have fallen on hard times, or even succumbed to drink, but are addicted to crack or have serious mental illness. I don’t think most people want harm to come to them (even the ones who are a nuisance), and you’re right that compassion is the first requirement here. It’s a tough situation, though.

  24. The Facts
    February 24, 2015

    I have confidence that you will vehemently pursue this issue with compassion and find a solution to it.
    DNO has posted articles on this a few times. You could refer to DNO’s archives and the comments of users. Peruse them and if some are worthy of consideration they could be helpful for your plans in solving this situation.
    It will be a great relief and blessing when vagrancy is dealt with in a humanitarian and proper manner.
    Those same vagrants whose lifestyle could be changed with permanent assistance and to become useful nationals, will one day thank you and others who assist them to live a better life. This is helping the poor elevate themselves from their poverty.

  25. Trevor Fabien
    February 24, 2015

    Ever since I have know myself, there has been vagrants on the streets of not just Roseau but all over Dominica. However, this seems to be a serious issue in the capital and this is only ever mentioned when the cruise ships start arriving.
    Here we have a minister responsible for tackling such a pressing problem and he is talking about cleaning and washing the vagrants. Are you serious about this job sir, you mean to tell me with the advent of the internet and all the information about how towns and city deal with such a problem could not have been researched by yourself before you made such elementary statement as to how to address this issue which plagues Roseau.

    Is this the people we have taking us forward for the next 5 years, persons absolutely devoid of ideas? Based on what Mr Tonge is saying, the government does not have the foggiest idea as to how to deal with this issue, for it has been my lifetime since we have had such a problem. Get a grip people, stop being a laughing…

  26. LOVE
    February 24, 2015

    99% of all vagrants in Roseau are on CRACK! start from that reality.

  27. Allison John
    February 24, 2015

    Recently, I have noticed a trend in how our politicians speak to the Dominican public via interview, media release points, or other utilized forums. The use of colloquial language in formal speeches is becoming rampant. You are supposed to be intelligent, diplomatic and set apart; so please think critically, then speak with a level of depth that proves to be informative to the masses.

  28. Anonymous
    February 24, 2015

    I am fed up of hearing that same OLD talk from Lanour party Cronies do some thing real or just shut the HELL. UP

    • hmm
      February 25, 2015

      I agree. According to Mrs. Poponne-Skerrit “Put Up or Shut Up”
      These ministers not serious yet

  29. Peter Potter
    February 24, 2015

    Can’t hear it again! Don’t you guys in government understand that talking about an issue again and again does not actually solve the issue. But then again, that is all the Skerrit regime can: talk, talk, talk and lie, lie, lie.

  30. Lang Mama
    February 24, 2015

    The minister might get his behind handed to him for making statements that suggest that much more should have been done to fix the problem. What is surprising here is that the minister did not follow the Labor Party government tradition of pushing the blame away from themselves.
    There has to be a way whereby we can pick up the vagrants, clean them, feed them, try to rehabilitate them or find some kind of jobs for them,” Well Mr minister we had a red clinic doling out money to strong able men and women. Now note Laborats refer to Dominicans as lazy only when it conveniently suit their partisan agenda but those lining up on Wednesday morning for the red clinic were not lazy at all. The money that was wasted at the red clinic could have been used to employ city custodians, rehabilitate the drug addicts &and provide jobs for them cleaning up the city
    Talk about policing the vagrants during the cruise ship visit- well I guess the police are so busy policing every demonstration no…

  31. The Authorities
    February 24, 2015

    Dear Mr. Tonge,

    What you should have done as a minister is come up with a plan to fix this vagrancy problem, walk over to my office and let’s see how we can make it work. That is exactly what we were elected to do.

    The citizens of Dominica didn’t elect us to go on the radio and tell them what they already know and can see.

    As Minister of Tourism, your comment insinuating the approval of begging by a “clean vagrant” is preposterous.

    Please stop making us appear more ignorant than the people who elected us.

    The Authorities

  32. playboy
    February 24, 2015

    Sounds like the minister is well-intentioned. Just don’t violate the people’s rights.

  33. Man kind
    February 24, 2015

    Honorable Ian Douglas tried the very same thing and there was no progress for without proper funding by the ministry of finance nothing is possible .
    No offense to the P.M.
    Just a point to be noted .

  34. american tourist
    February 24, 2015

    Panhandlers are present in every city in the world. Roseau is no different. Homelessness and untreated mental illness is endemic among the poor everywhere including Dominica. I have been told by numerous Americans that Dominica was their favorite stop on their cruise because they loved the natural beauty of the countryside and special destinations like Trafalgar. Roseau is the center of commerce and government in Dominica. It is not a great tourist attraction because it is a real, working city focusing on the business needs of Dominicans rather than the amusement of foreigners. Provide aid to the less fortunate of Roseau because it is a good policy for Dominica, not to please me.

  35. IMJustSaying
    February 24, 2015

    There has to be a holistic programme for this. Its clear that a lot of these disenfranchised people ( I chose not to use the degrading terms that are often used) are suffering from a combination of mental health, alcohol and drug abuse – known as ‘dual diagnosis’.
    Its not about ‘cleaning’ them up, the root of the problem needs to be addressed before looking at the picture in a holistic way. Does this Minister or any others in his ministry have the experience of these issues? I have offered my expertise, but in Dominica, its who you know, not your knowledge, experience and background.
    Maybe they can liaise with the Community Mental Health Team? What is their role in all of this anyway, as I always see the silver van in Roseau, but it looks like the driver is just liming…

  36. Not a herd follower
    February 24, 2015

    The Labour Party ministers tend to say what the problems are without putting forward specific solutions and, more frustratingly, doing nothing about the problems when they are in a position to do something. smh

  37. February 24, 2015

    Tounge I hope you are aware that 90% of these vagrants are mentally challenged one don’t even need a psychological evaluation to know these people paro. just today I saw with my own eye one vagrant used the side of the road in the botanical garden next to forestry for his sheet toilet. So don’t tell plp you cannot pick some of these vagrants up hand have them permanently committed to a psych ward.

  38. concerned
    February 24, 2015

    Lets be more optimistic….

  39. Kumbaya
    February 24, 2015

    Yes Mr. Tonge can I have piece of that pie from the sky? How you gonna give the vagrants jobs and homes when the same can’t even be done for non vagrants? Come on man, guess Tourism isn’t your forte Mr Tonge

  40. Titiwi
    February 24, 2015

    Do we have a mayor for Roseau or not? Or is that also a pappy show? And don’t come and tell us again about these people families’ responsibility and ” we can not do it alone”. You are all damned well appointed to deal with these issues, not just to get a reserved parking space and free lunch. Deal with!

  41. February 24, 2015

    “If a vagrant comes up to you and he is clean and he ask you for money it is kind of different from when he is smelling and not looking unkempt,” he stated.

    With all due respect, I think our Minister of Tourism needs to aim a little higher. I promise you, Americans going home from their cruise are not going to say, “Dominica was the best island because their beggars were so clean!”

  42. But wait
    February 24, 2015

    What is the best estimate of the number of vagrants around Roseau and Portsmouth? Are we talking about 25 people, 50, 100? have we ever conducted any sort of analysis. In this regard, Dominica’s small population should make this an easy problem to solve. Instead of wasting money on all the levels of government (without solutions to everyday problems to justify their worth), why not have village councils focus on housing their “vagrants” and providing them with some sort of productive activity to keep them away from begging.

  43. derp
    February 24, 2015

    all talk and no action, in a couple of years he going to say the same thing and nothing will be done

    • ????????????????????
      February 24, 2015

      Derp where is your idea and suggestion? He said something! What is your say now? What can you contribute to the table.

      • derp
        February 26, 2015

        you don’t want to hear my suggestion to the problem…. it’s not socially accepted….

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