EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week it was reported that visitors and a tour guide were robbed at gunpoint by masked men at Syndicate in the north of the island. The victims of the incident, a couple from the US, wrote to Dominica News Online, via email, to tell of their experience. The full email is below.
Dear Citizens of Dominica,
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.
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.
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.
Kevin & Amy Hardman
Cincinnati, OH
USA
The sad reality is that the so called authorities simply do not care.
my wife a dlomat could not get the police nor the courts to provide her family and herself with basic protection such as the ability to go to work and drop our children to school without gunshots being fired at us, the road to our home being maliciously blocked by vehicles parked across the road.
not even high court restraining orders upheld by 4 separ ate judges, nor her diplomatic passport would be recognised by the police.
On 2 occcassions my wife had to cancel diplomatic meeting appointments with the president and government ministers because a tourism provider who is currently on bail for manslaughter of a tourist deliberately parked his pickup across the road and took out the battery and went to roseau leaving our children unable to go to exams and my wife unable to meet the president, while the police officers advice was that we shoul abandon our vehicle to be vandalized and take a bus.
Our attorney…
It seems everyone is looking for someone to blame besides the perpetrators responsible for the crime. We blame the P.M, Police, minsters even the birds the tourists went to look at, its very true that things are difficult in Dominica but name me a Caribbean island where it isn’t..
We can do better, I know we can. This is our country and we cannot allow thugs and hoodlums to drive away our daily bread. If you have information please call the police or call crime stoppers. It is difficult to wash away a bad name but not impossible.
I would like to extend my apologies that this incident ever happened. I am so saddened to hear that 13 happy joyful days of experiences were destroyed by this one. I would like to put this incident in context with a few statistics of crime in Cincinnati – in 2013 – a population of 100,000 – 70 murders (6 a month); 1610 robberies; 947 assaults; 5,467 burglaries, 10,488 thefts. Correct me if I am wrong but returning to Cincinnati does not seem to be a safer option. I love my island but it is not perfect. Don’t let this cancel your visit to Dominica -remember that for each tourist that is robbed here at least 1,000 times maybe 10,000 times as many tourists visit without incident. http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Cincinnati-Ohio.html
Trudy. My sentiments exactly. While we all are saddened by the actions of a few thugs who by the way I believe should be dealt with accordingly, and I agree with securing areas where where visitors at be at risk, the letter seems to have been written while still in a very emotional state, and the statement, “but the true lost is the long term relationship with your country. Until the safety and infrastructure issues are resolved we would not return or recommend others to visit,” is a bit much considering what Trudy pointed out about Cincinnati.
Again, we are all saddened and disheartened by the situation, but this should not be an indictment on the entire country. Let’s put things in perspective.
OLD!!!!
On 8 March this year four visitors were robbed at the same location with the same O.M. (masked, gunmen), as reported by DNO. and is difficult to believe that the perpetrators were not tipped off
Indeed, it may be the same crew that committed this latest robbery also. Was anyone apprehended and charged in connection with the incident last March?
The facility was opened in Oct. 2006, with great fanfare, at a cost of E.C.$.5 million (of which $1.6 million was accounted for by toilet facilities), yet most of the time it is locked an unmanned. A dismal return on investment by any measure!
I recall reading this on DNO. I was wondering if this incident was the same one.
One would think that since there was a similar theft in that area, there should have been some sort of security. In addition, tourists should be warned about it.
This was negligence on the part of the authorities. Whoever is in charge of that area should be investigated. In addition, armed security should be stationed in that area.
These thieves, armed men do not care that they tarnish the good reputation of Dominica and this will deter tourists, visitors to the island. Dominica is the loser.
Thank God they were not murdered.
God is good! These heartless people who do this to others, whether tourists, visitors or locals will one day pay severely for this. Their day is coming and soon enough.
Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! guys sorry dose not always cut it…to be robbed at gun point is no light matter…And in the mean time that the authorities are waking up out of their sleep,getting their eyes washed and their teeth brushed etc. there are steps that the local villagers can take to help combat that mess.It is in everyone’s interest to keep you’ll livelihood going. Even a few vigilante groups could do, you’ll can take turns and hang out in the area I’m sure it will deter the unruly beasts. You’ll do not want these countries to slap a travel advisory on DA.
You’ll are already crying ,the youths have nothing to do,things are hard .Well it will be a much harder story then…
This government has no shame,,
As much as the thing that made you
What the government needs to do is to catch a tourist boat, take a long vacation and don’t come back! Toneh, Toneh, Toneh! Bitcho malo nunca muere !
We are sorry for the pain you encountered.
What is the purpose of having a tourist centre that is closed and no security? These robbers do not care whether it is local or foreign visitors. They will rob. I have always stated that we continue to believe that we are in sixties and seventies, when we left our homes unlocked and stayed out for the entire day.
The persons responsible for Tourism are simple inefficient and ineffective and do not understand that all visitors need protection.
Word of mouth is our best and our cheapest advertising. And as you can see all the good services provided and the wonderful experiences this couple had were destroyed by one criminal act.
It is indeed a shame that the government can not find a competent leasee to run one of the best constructed tourist facilities on the island. But what I find hardly credible is that these thieves armed as they were, were hanging around up there
just incase some hapless tourist wandered into their midst. There is only one one lane farm road in and out of that place and it, unfortunately, is not visited very frequently.
I would suggest that notifying the forestry service or even the police when tourists go up there with a guide. This is not the first time this has happened. There used to be someone from forestry stationed on the road to sell tickets to the nature trail. I haven’t seen one lately.
All de money de government get from the flooding in DA.. they should use some of it to hire plenty security for the tourist tours so that those who visit can feel safe and wish to come back again to support the economy.
The short term solution is uncomplicated. There should be a security presence at the beginning of the Syndicate Road in order to monitor vehicles coming in during the day. There are only two groups of people that should be traveling that road. The first are tourists and their guides who are easy to identify, and the second are farmers and their workers who arrive early in the morning and depart in the early afternoon. Drivers and passengers who do not fit into these two groups should be questioned more carefully. Certainly, young men traveling the Syndicate Road late in the afternoon should be considered suspicious. I am not talking about a military check point with vehicle searches. Just a brief delay to identify the intentions of the driver and his passengers. This simple step should be implemented ASAP in order to show that Dominica takes action when the safety of our visitors is threatened.
Dearest Kevin and Amy
Thank you for your kind words regarding my small island in the Caribbean.
I’m so sorry to hear and read about your last experience on my beautiful island , especially the loss of loved trinkets , full of memories to you both
Your story is truly scary and maddening : Scary because of the event happened to you both at GUNPOINT, plus a cutlass and maddening because the vagabonds are loose out there laughing with their friends because of the wining bounty they collected. They will repeat this escapade , because they are fools and with God’s grace they will choose others more willing and stronger to challenge them. There is a place for them, and it’s not in the local community
I cannot say enough to help you to forgive us , we the citizens of Dominica and it’s annoying there was no Good Samaritan(s) around to help you both or even identify the culprits
The Heights security issue at is a valid one , and I hope something can be done by the…
Hmmm. Sad very sad, I am lost for words. NEXT LEVEL.
Why was the tourist center “locked and unattended”? It is customary practice to ensure that tourist centers are open and attended to when visitors are in the area. Does the officials responsible take a log of who is visiting where and when? How do they coordinate tourist activities on the island especially when the tour is organized in this case?
This is very sad. I am well traveled worldwide and in other countries when I pay to do tours, the sites are always well attended to and security is in place. Yes we always have to be vigilant where ever we are but this is unacceptable for a paid tour with a guide. These are the small changes that will lead to a positive impact on our tourist industry.
@Patriotic B, That facility is always locked.They do not know,that Tourist Business is everyday Business.????
We visited Dominica in 1987, returned frequently, bought land in 2004, started building in 2005, moved there in 2008 lived there until late 2014, and left. We will never return. Crime, noise, thuggery, pollution, corruption and racism have all flourished.
But in all of that, I am still left to wonder how did these young men know that tourists were going to be at that site on that particular day? If the facility was closed and nobody was manning the booth, how did they know anybody was going to be visiting at that particular time?
What happen, them fellas had an inside source or what?
This is a site visited by tourists on a daily basis. it doesn’t take a “rocket scientist THUG” to realize that and knowing there is no security take his chances to violate unsuspecting visitors.
The whole question of the closure of the facility at a time when it is likely that visitors will come to the area just amazes me.
Dominica let us protect this little piece of rock by being more proactive. A salary of $1500.00 a month to a security guard is nothing compared to the potential economic losses as a result of one incident. Ask the people at Fort Young how much that couple would have spent during their time here then add all the taxi and tour fees and others.
LET’S TAKE OUR TOURISM PRODUCT SERIOUSLY PLEASSSSSSSE!
Skerrit need to resign
Whilst advice is being given as to how to deal with the matter
We need to also put blame where blame is .Condemnation on those who committed that crime and a national plan to apprehend them. All jewellery shops and shops involved in buying and selling on the alert to report anyone coming in to sell wedding rings. All villages to see who is not working but spending and whatever other efforts put in place to catch them. After all Tourism is everybody’s business
And
Its sad that while this was happening the Parliament Building was surrounded with security because there was anticipation of a protest a few yards away. We need to learn to prioritize. It is vexing when the people in authority place emphasis on the wrong things. Talk talk talk about tourism and we cant protect them from these traumatizing experience. When will we stop the talk and start walking the walk. It is vexing that the people who come to our shores have such bad experiences to share. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and one bad experience from a client can destroy our business. Let us take this seriously. We are too reactive and not proactive!!!!!!!
That just to show where Roosevelt Skerrit’s priorities are.
The Government has to put policies in place to make the country safer for all, visitors and nationals. The question of safety is the duty of everyone. We have to be aware that violent crime is on the increase in Dominica and we must be more vigilant.
There is far to much hate rhetoric in Dominica that is politically motivated. Our leaders must stop with the big lie politics of hatred which leads to crime and violence and terrorism. Recent shooting in Chicago is the result of the rhetorics of big lies on plan parenthood activity during the Presidential campaign. Terrorism is based on the big lie that the terrorists are fighting a holy war.
DNO, you can make a contribution towards peaceful co-existence by not posting comments that incite people to violence. We can disagree and support our political parties of choice without using bad names, negatives, false accusations, and big lie rhetorics. These lead to bad blood, hatred, wickedness, resentment, violence and terrorism.
We need to start now during the season of peace and love. We are a Christian nation, so let us promote Christion behavior.
This will encourage other media houses to promote peace and tranquility on a national scale for safety reasons.
you mean promote censorship, censorship is bad and should be opposed at all arenas….
nothing will change dominica will remain the same
Dear Kevin & Amy Hardman,
I’m really sorry that you guys were robbed it was really distasteful and unfortunate that your last days that happened to you.
I truly believe we will add some security to our popular Tourist sites in the near future,our Tourism industry depends on having a safe environment for all our visitors.
All the best to you and your family
I am saddened to hear about this horrendous incident. The police must find the people responsible for this and bring the to justice with the harshest punishment. They must not walk the streets of Dominica and think they commit this kind of crime over and over again – because that is what is going to happen. Prime Minister you need to adopt a no tolerance policy when it comes to this sort of crime. We want to build our country but with this sort of behavior people are going to shy away and go to where they feel safe.
This is truly maddening, I would not come back or encourage anyone to visit either. Whether it is an isolated case or not is besides the point. Though the crime rate in Dominica is one of the lowest in the Caribbean, this is not an isolated case when this has happened more than once before. This kind of lawlessness has to end. Skerritt needs to give these young people work to do. This makes me feel so ashamed. Aw also need to stop making excuses for this type of ridiculous behavior.
@ FAE……I agree with you, but do not condemn a whole nation on the actions of criminal behavior. I share your feelings, but we must express notions that will make us a safer country by putting preassure on the authorities. As ideviduals our voices will not be heard, but collectively we will get attention.
CARMEM just the being. PM take note
As my subject states it is not enough, because one cannot imagine the trauma you all went through unless exposed to this situation. However, the biggest tragedy in all of this is a government who does not listen long enough for things to sink in and take action. I believe our curse in this country is the parrot on the flag typifies our behavior of \”more talk and less action\” and so sadly it will take more serious issues of gunpoint robbery and maybe even murder to get this government to move. I have not seen anything that would convince me otherwise I would say it. Case in point Police Stations around the island closing like a residential building at nights and more importantly on weekends with a lot of social activities. We have been daunted to hold our speech or else feel the rath of this administration, so I thank Kevin & Amy Harman for speaking for we the voiceless Dominicans who are being vilified and in some cases victimize if we raise concerns about things in our country…
I am so sorry to hear about your experience. I hope that you recover from this traumatizing event soon! We all of us have to step up our security for ourselves and our guests to the island. There was another incident of robbery on Friday night of a visitor in Roseau. We have to be more proactive!
So unfortunate that this million dollar visitor center with state-of-the art displays and one of the best trails on island remains shut down without any form of security. Thought this visitor center was being managed by a community tourism group out of the village of Dublanc.
While i apologize to these people for the incident. Let us not pretend like this is the worst incident that took place in the Caribbean. So much is happening on the other islands. Not very often do we have incidents like this. We are blessed to be such a peaceful nation. In the US for instance. People are robbed and murdered every second of the day. These people come to our country and pretend like they never witness a crime in their life. We are victims in the US and no one ever apologize to us. God bless Dominica. Compared to other islands and the bigger countries. When it comes to crime Dominica is a virgin.
Magma pafo, all I can say is that you are a blithering idiot. There is no excuse for this crime, none whatsoever and your rhetoric is not helpful but only makes matters worse. I am truly sorry this happened to you mr. & mrs. Hardman.
And how exactly is that going to solve anything? Keep comparing us to the lowest common denominator and see how well we progress from there.
Jamaica has a crime issue but their tourist business is booming. The locals are smart enough to know that their very livelihood depends on the tourist dollar, so they do not bother them, at least in the areas where tourist frequent.
All you have to do is take a look at St. Croix and see how well their economy is doing compared to St. Thomas where there is a thriving tourism industry.
Thinks about it for a minute and then reconsider your argument.
It is attitudes like yours that exacerbate these types of lawlessness. Why are you comparing this to issues in other countries? Look at the big picture. This is not an isolated case, though the incidents are minimal they are occurring. Face the problem head on and refrain from finding excuses to hide it. If I were them I would not come back or have anyone come back either. Dominicans are backwards and so entrenched in their carelessness that they cannot see the big picture.
Mr, Ms or Mrs “Magma pafo”
We cannot look to other countries in order to set a standard for safety for our country. If other countries decide to start a nuclear war should we follow suit?
The POWERFUL point that this couple is trying to make is that, while dominica is beautiful, all this beauty ise USELESS if we cannot protect the environment in which it is.
If people cannot be safe at TOURIST sites these tourist sites eventually will not be visited because of fear..and thus eventually they will become useless as tourism marketing tools…
I am just happy that these two people are the tourguide with them were not hurt, because they COULD HAVE BEEN ..guns were involved and shots were fired!
This was a dangerous situation and I would have been scared also had I been one of the victims.
WAKE UP national toursim board. ALL Tourist sites should ve equiped with ACTIVE cameras and security..
If we can’t protect tourists at sites, why should we invite them to come here…
Your a complete idiot,because it happens in the US YOUR MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE IDIOTS WHICH COMMITTED THIS CRIME.Dominica is out of control and the leader needs to step up and condemn these act,but he spends most of the year in countries doing his dirty dealings,this will have an effect on the country,also no work for the young people so what is the result =crime.Stop making excuses.and am waiting for your reply again fool.
“These people come to our country and pretend like they never witness a crime in their life.”
What an ignorant statement. Americans who are not from inner cities almost certainly have never witnessed such a thing, much less been subjected to it.
Adding government employees is not normally my preferred solution, but there is a case to be made here for hiring a corps of park rangers specifically tasked with preventing crime in the remote areas that attract eco-tourists.
Are we not shocked when crimes occur? Consider the tourists.
Since they are tourists, bbviously, they did not expect this would occur to them in a small country. They were of the opinion (as they were probably told by the travel agency and others) that Dominicans in general are nice people.
Those thieves are heartless and bold. They spoil the reputation of their country. Surely, they should have had a heart not to do this to the visitors.
You know very well, some of the tourists are not rich people. They borrow money from financial institutions in order to go on a trip. Some save for years to achieve this. They could spend a few years repaying that loan.
The little pocket change they have and their personal possessions as their wedding rings were stolen. If it were you, would it not badly hurt you? Would you not have been disappointed if it occurred to you, whether you were in a big country or not? Would you sing its praises if this occurred to you?
Excuse me? Have you ever been robbed at gunpoint? Whether it happen in DA or elsewhere it is a horroble exprerience
If we have not yet experienced it, we never know when it will occur to us.
The thought of it is scary. As for me I pray to God for protection.
While incidents happen everywhere, the point of the article was to bring the incident to light and she constructively made a recommendation on how to improve. Most importantly, her love and passion for the country is clearly stated and she gave credit to all who made her stay a wonderful experience besides the incident.
Stop comparing us to other countries and focus on what we can do better. Why don’t you make recommendations on how we can improve our tourist industry instead?
Stop being silly. We don need that kind of exposure for Dominica. We dont want to he part of the statistics in that respect. we wanr to be known as the nature isle.
For God’s sake, that is not the point! They were visitors! All went well until the day prior to their departure they were robbed. No one really expects this in Dominica.
Something has gone radically wrong in Dominica that in recent years many crimes/ murders are committed.
You should be concerned about that: abused children, rapes and various crimes and murders. You should ask yourself what happened.
Once upon a time (it sounds like a fairy tale) nationals did not live in fear of criminals. Today, they do.
What has happened that visitors are not able to go river and sea bathing, visiting tourist sites, walking the streets in peace, without being robbed and at gunpoint? They take away people’s rights. This should never have occurred and not in Dominica which we all know is a peaceful island where people are friendly.
God will severely punish those thugs.
I have previously asked, how did these guns enter Dominica? Something has to be done about that.
-…CONT’D (Roseau) looking like a ghetto full of Paros, rubbish by sidewalk, so much young men unemployed and you shocked”
“Does the country have police officers? Are they stationed at______? One can hardly find police patrols in Roseau at nights. I am ashamed, but not surprised that the three Australians were mugged”
-Fellow Dominicans SUFFICE TO SAY We LOVE to be too REACTIVE in this Isle of Beauty -Dominica on a whole- we STILL HAVE OUR WORK AND HOMEWORK VERY MUCH CUT OUT FOR US… TIME WILL TELL IF THIS ADMINISTRATION AND BY EXTENSION THE TOURISM/ HOTEL INDUSTRY WILL LEARN TO COLLABORATE And Innovate AS MANY OF OUR NEIGHBOURING SISTER ISLANDS HAVE MANAGED TO DO, AND Truly GET OUR ACT IN ORDER! WITH 2016 AROUND THE CORNER ITS HIGH TIME THAT WE DO SO- NATURE ISLE OF THE CARIBBEAN!
At this Juncture in History –in 2016 with so many International Security Concerns and Threats making the Headlines- we must get more resolute and Committed in our National resolve to curb the devastating & ultimately detrimental impacts that perpetuating crime against visitors can have on our already fledgling & struggling ‘labour ka Twavay’ economy. The couple’s parting sentiments in this heartfelt letter ARE INVALUABLE-
“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.”
AND THEN TRAGICALLY THERE ARE THE EQUALLY AS RELEVANT COMMENTS MADE JUST EARLIER THIS YEAR IN JUNE AFTER THE ROBEBRY OF THE AUSTRAILIANS IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL CITY –SHAMEFUL INDEED FOR US DOMINICANS. COMMENS WERE AS FOLLOWS-
“Hypocrites Roseau looking like a…
Sadly these guys will likely do it again because they think there’s nobody to stop them.
Tourism is one of the few viable things we have left. This should not only be treated as an important economic issue but I dare say as a national security issue with whatever means necessary to prevent recurrences.
I would automatically have mandatory sentences for offenses against tourists and those that serve them with a HUGE escalation in charges and jail time for weapons used in the commission of these crimes. Send a very clear statement this will not be tolerated and committing these acts will be at your great peril.
In the end every tourist that has a poor experience will tell others which harms us all. That is in fact a threat to our beautiful country.
No sooner the police would pick up these scumbags, these lawyers would even want to have their clients released on bail even before they are charged, then u would see them {lawyers} walking down to the bank. These scumbags are just damaging the tourism industry. I guess they are the same ones operating in the city but knowing that the police are looking for them, they start operating in the outer communities.
My sympathy goes to the people who were robbed , just glad to know that none were injured.
thank you for your honest opinion
I really do hope our tourism department gets de message!
This is not the first time this happened at this site.
The site should be staffed!
Tourism dept. can’t afford security at sites like these for de tourist season!!!!
Sadly its not the Department of tourism that needs to take note. They have already been taking note. They have done their part in getting the tourist to Dominica, however it is the Police Department and other people in charge of security on the island who must now play their part.
So sorry about your experience. It must have been traumatizing. This is not a true reflection of our people and we wish at some point you can come again. Security is lacking; but I am sure it will be improved after this incident. Best wishes in your time of recovering from this ordeal.
But it happens so very often. How many more visitors will be robbed or attacked?
This is truly bad and am shame on whoever did that just keep pushing down our country. Please come again one day and I hope the group or pair that robbed you guys will speak out and ask to return the stuff stollen from all you. My heart felt sadness its so sad that you guys came and could not go back happy. One day I hope things get better you all u visit.
Are you being silly?
Why would they come again when the last memory of Dominica was starring down the barrel of a gun? Have you ever had a gun pointed at you?
What the government needs to do is provide more security at the points of interest.
How many times have you heard the same story of tourist being robbed at these types of places? I don’t know about you, but that has happened numerous times over the past couple of years.
The government talks a good talk, but they do not complete the circle. They need to upgrade those local destinations, make it easy to access, have proper facilities at those locations and provide adequate security for visitors and locals alike.
Just going about and advertising we are an eco-tourist destination will yield the same result as we see here unless we take the steps to protect the people who we invite to our shores.
see what things have come to. tourist have to telll us our security and safety is lacking. just a shame
The police who,shud have been sent there as a deterrent for these good for nothing were rather all sent to peebles park because UWP had a gathering there…to have a public gathering is considered rioting but little effort is placed on preventing arm robbery. This boy iOS down to the governments inability to properly use its resources.