Minister of Tourism and Legal Affairs, Ian Douglas, has made a call to address the situation of vagrancy and crime in Dominica which, according to him, is affecting the island’s tourism industry.
Speaking at the Tourism Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening, Douglas pointed out that one of the main problems reported by cruise lines that call at Dominica’s ports, is vagrancy.
“One of the issues that we need to address and address it now, is the issue of vagrancy when a ship is in port,” he noted. “We have to because visitor experience is a key component in the ship rating the destination.”
He said that there are about 32 destinations in the Caribbean, ranging from Bahamas all the way to Central and South America, and Dominica was once among some of the top positions in tourist destinations.
However, he lamented that vagrancy, especially in the country’s capital, has severely affected Dominica’s rating amongst the rest of the destinations.
The minister said he hopes that by the beginning of the next tourism season, a solution will be found and he called on all institutions on the island, even those the outside tourism industry, to assist.
“We have become too complacent, we have fallen asleep on the job, we need to wake up and also the organisations and institutions outside of tourism need to see themselves as tourism stakeholders also,” he remarked. “There are persons outside the industry who do not see how their actions affect tourism so we need the other institutions to partner with us to deal with some of the concerns and some of the issues that continue to affect the tourism industry. And the whole issue of vagrancy on the Bayfront … I hope that by the start of the next cruise season we would have found a solution to the vagrants in the city and on the Bayfront.”
Douglas also expressed concerns about the issue of crime and deviant behaviour in Dominica and their impact on tourism.
“In recent years or two we have really had to deal with a lot of those issues. Crime is really affecting the tourism industry and how these incidents are handled. It was for this reason that the ministry of tourism went ahead and did a session with Johnson John Rose with the media to really apprise the media and sensitize them as to how you deal with issue of crime and deviant behaviour,” he noted.
According to him information about crime and deviant behaviour going on around the world undermines the ability to develop the sector.
Douglas congratulated the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Security for what he described as their efforts in arresting crime and deviant behaviour in that section of the island.
DNO, I see you chose NOT to publish my statement – well done! Keep up the ‘good’ work.
Are our politicians blind, stupid or wicked? All other Caribbean countries seem to be getting a handle on showcasing their countries by cleaning up shop. We copy everything that’s not good, why not try for a change to copycat what’s good and working in our sister countries? It’s not rocket science. Invite opinions from the high school and college minds, and you will get some incentives on how to clean up Dominica. God bless Dominica.
Very soon hard working people will leave their job and turn to vagrancy because honestly speaking if these people are given jobs they will turn it down why? because they earn a better living by being a vagrant, free food, free money, no tax to pay and the Government dont give a shit about them so for the vagrants its like who cares!!!!!!!! We roling high!
WEh papa! Dominica has a tourism minister? I really thought the Toruism Ministry was run by Piper and Meade. Wake up Ian! And do the work that the people of Dominica has entrusted you to do.
I will do that, but tht doesn’t change d fact tht ur govt is lazy and doh hav foresight, no vision, failed the youth of dominica, do a survey for unemployed college youth…and youth in general we need a ‘youth we care program’…
Blame the downturn of the tourism industry on the vagrants why don’t we? Why do we always do that? We need to take responsibility in this country. Yes its true that the vagrants do their damage but they are not the main source of the problem.
We caused this situation to escalate into this mess it is today. every institution responsible for those people either cast the responsibility on another or wash their hands of it. I mean come on! Let’s wait and see what is going to be done about them this time, and who they’ll blame next. Bunch of juveniles.
It’s easier than Ian thinks. INCREASED PATROLS in roseau and areas frequented by tourists especially WHEN THE SHIPS ARE IN PORT!
As I understand it the police are busy in the hills looking for marijuana. Have you ever seen INCREASED PATROLS when ships are in port? I haven’t. Even Me, I have many times stopped vagrants from harassing tourists in Roseau while there’s no police in site, NONE! NONE at all.
You do not have to reinvent the wheel. DO some FACT-FINDING on how the major destinations like B’dos, St.Thomas, St.Marten do it. They have as many, some even more vagrants and thugs than us.
Well said Annon. Like you said, that would be too easy. I doe know why they playing with tourism, it’s serious and fragile stuff. haven’t they heard of what lax patrols did to St.Croix?? SMH
I am happy that the MInister is trying, or saying something needs to be done. However, Mr. Minister the chanty town we have right infront of the shi[ is the worst I’ve seen after Haiti.Plese!!! what do we do with all the money/head tax collected from these Boats? Mr. Minister, take a visit to the other Island who take tourism seriously and you might have a clear idea of what should be done. Even if you canpot build a “state- of -the- Art” area for them, take a look at the simple model in Antigua with a solid tarpolin, it is so nicely done,opened ,but neat and secure.
Visitor
Every year Ian giving the same speech. Vagrants, vagrants, vagrants and he initiates no steps to address it. Ian should be the minister for “fancy speech”. Give that to him. He can give an impressive speech. Wait till the cruise season starts again and you will notice the same thing that he is claiming to be the problem. These guys sicken me!!!
What I do know and can state is vagrancy is an extremely serious problem which will deter tourists ships and their passengers from visiting Dominica. Therefore, this government must seriously do something about it. It is also for nationals’ safety.
Those who commit crimes are people who do not care two hoots for their country’s reputation and progress, for nationals and for the tourist industry except their selfish and wicked desires. They should be dealt with accordingly. Once and for all, it is high time to do something about it. More action and fewer words are vital.
When tourists ships arrive, there should be a conspicuous police presence and patrol throughout DA especially in Roseau.
This is proof positive that this government is clueless, helpless and hopeless. The minister should have used the opportunity to outline the steps that his government would take to address the problems.
Why is he calling on institutions to do the job they are paid to do. Time for the DLP to step aside. They have ably demonstrated that they are incapable of performing basic government functions.
Dominicans what are you all waiting for to send these guys packing. This government is an embarrassment! and a bigger disgrace!!!
we should also seek the help of the fbi or Interpol to investigate what is called white coulor crime so that the dlp cabinet is jailed for an extremely long period of time
Look in the mirror, who do you see? your shadow. YO! can NE`pala, pala, empty vessels make the most noise” Things have changed, they are no longer our servants put there to serve us, rather they have made themselves our masters,just giving orders, while the more things change the more it stays the same. In our days we were aware what our role was, to serve, and we did without any big payments but straight from our hearts,now big money deep pockets all kinds of spin, and nothing or very little is being done much of it it buried by noise, and more noise,we going down slowly,slowly. R.I.P Spider. Nothing last forever” just remember that!!! Asked to be voted in Government,get our votes do all kinds of “BS” and blame some one else for not doing what we voted them to do. Here is what should be done to nip the problem in the buds. Find, or build proper facilities for those people, train our people to care for their needs, use our prisoners as part of their give back to us tax payers, have them build furnitures and carry out proper maintanance of such facilities, hense it`s a win,win situation, in the end every body benifits, it`s not rocket science “SMFH.”Thats my humble suggestion.
The vagrant population can only continue to grow because there are lots of offenders of all sorts who are roaming the streets blinging and because they were able to manupulate the legal system and escape scotch free they think it is over. But those victims will have their day. Answered prayers will find them their rightful place. ROAMING THE STREETS. WHATEVER A MAN SOWETH THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP!
With the help of their legal defense. Who is to be blamed for this situation?
All the vagrants on the street have relatives who have given up on them and everybody want somebody else to take their responsibility. When some of them were entering hard working people property and steal their things and share among them it was ok, but now their BURST because somebody’s pray was answered and is the state that have to pay for it.
DON’T BURST A BLOOD VESSEL This bad government that can only waste money and that have failed the country should do something to get these people out of the streets.
how you expect an eighty year old father and mother to be responsible for a fifty year old paro…
dominica needs a rehabilitation center and not a PALACE
Anoymous you couldn’t have said it better I have seen a sister walk over her brother and mark you not half bother same MOTHER and FATHER and pretend that she didn’t know him when he was well and hard working he help send her to high school she have a government job now he to poor for her and you telling the Government is responsible for the vagrants where is their family if they the vagrants were a doctor, lawyer, or a MINISTER OF GOVERMENT it’s all well and good mischievous and wicked Dominicans
How about housing the homeless and creating facilities for the mentally ill? How about that? Before we worry about the foreigners, let’s take care of our own. Charity begins at home.
WELL SAID!
I’m a foreigner and I completely agree with you. Tourism should not be the catalyst for social welfare. This is a domestic issue first and foremost.
Isn’t Ian the Government??? He has been in Government for 10 years and counting and he is still calling on ‘whoever’ to clean up??? In fact, he is so shameless he is accusing both he and his Government of falling asleep.
Nontheless, it is time for the Government to put the big wheels in motion and do not wait for next year, to start cleaning up DOMINICA. Do it for DOMINICA, not for Self or for Tourists. I see other islands doing it and it is a shame a place like Dominica that has always been revered for its cleanliness is now in the reverse.
We all can do something.. let us start now.
Agreed! The time is NOW!
You sat while the government removed the most effective magistrate who made a tremendous difference in the country and in particular, the North, no one is listening now!!!!
Imagine that, a craftsman who is not cerified by Discover Dominica is just passing on the bay front with products to deliver to vendors when cruise ships are in port, is chased off by police while paros are allowed to harrasse tourist in plain view of the same police. Mr Douglass as the boss of our tourism industry you watching the product go to waste and all you can do is shout out look what they doing to it ? To improve visitor experience give Gator pavers a contract to redo the entire side walks of Roseau, cover those deep drains, better and improved parking in town, more space to move around. flush out the canals, Roseau stinks, stop the restuarants flushing grey water in the drains. The Botanical gardens must be developed as a better tourism product more visitor friendly. Build golf cart routes so visitors can tour the entire gardens by golf cart. include the agricultural research area as an integral part of the tours. Piknic areas a camp site and more rest rooms. We have to remove all them Old wrecks and cars from donkey beach, take some of the sand from layou and rebuild this beach as part of the product. It is close to the ship and sevral different tourist related enterprize such as , bars restaurants, watersports, massage tents, hair braiding etc etc could be set up there
by Young people.If you dont have beach you notyet in tourism. Take over some of those abadoned property in Roseau and build vending markets, spread out the vendors and get rid of all the multicolor tapaulings on the bayfront. Looking at that from the ship its an eye sore, big turn off. With the US ISPS security in effect i see small boats right under the bow of cruise ships fishing, arent they suposed to stay 500ft away ? I am just trying to open your eyes Mr tourism !inister, I been in tourism since 1988 I worked 10 yrs in Dominica, 10 yrs in Sint Maarten and now im back working tourism at home. I must say its a step back from where i came back from.
Darwin. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Your comments need to go straight to Mr Douglas. (and you should also get a written answer from him!)
Mr. Douglas u can stop it with 3 simple STEPS.
Step 1. Stop the circulation of CRACK-cocaine
Step 2. Create and/or stimulate EMPLOYMENT.
Step 3. Stop encouraging BEGGING with that RED clinic business.
Douglas want vagrancy and crime addressed = Douglas wants the Labour party Government addressed!!!
why cant they do away with all the stray dogs in roseau, i was home last month and in lagoon it look like all the dogs was in heat, the situation is simple the dominica animal control , if there is such an agency, like they do in the states catch the dogs and kill them.
growing up in pte micheal there was a problem with pigs, mr scelford the village counsel officer was given a gun, by the government , and he shot every srtay pigs in the village, problem solved.
Put people like yellow, and the rest of them in a mental instution, please stop the begging, isseu fines, crack the wipe mr politicain and stop blowing smoke.
@Anonymous: First of all, let me tell you in America, they don’t round up the dogs and kill them. That is only a very last resort or if a dog is extremely dangerous. They take the dogs in and care for them probably better than you take care of your children and then they find loving caring homes to place the dogs. They do this by interviewing and background checks on the people adopting the dogs. Second of all, if you ever shoot a dog just because it is a stray or a bother, I will come after you and shoot you, because to me, the dog is really kinder than you!
P.S. People here need to be more responsible and care for their dogs. They need to be feed properly, given baths, taken to the vet and get SPAYED or NEUTERED. If a person can’t do that, they shouldn’t have a dog. Dog is man’s best friend!!!
This government has failed the country so badly that they cannot and do not have the ability and/or capacity to do anything that is good and of national interest.
“In recent years or two we have really had to deal with a lot of those issues. Crime is really affecting the tourism industry and how these incidents are handled”…Oh really? Did he really say that? Come on Mr. Douglas, you and most of all your party the DLP has been at the helm for all this time. Is that a subtle admission that you ALL feel asleep and unfortunately are still asleep at the wheel.
About a year ago Mr. Blackmore told the population that crime was on the decline regardless of what we were hearing. He was supported by then commissioner of police Mr. Carrette. So, are you now telling “WE THE PEOPLE” that our government was LYING to us?
I guess my granny was right when she said; “What is in the dark shall come to light sooner rather than later”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Great work
As a volunteer here, It would be nice to be able to walk into Roseau without being asked for money multiple times by people that sometimes verbally abuse and grab you. It would also be nice if I wasn’t asked if I wanted drugs (Ross could help here by keeping a closer eye on the habits of some of their students).
***ANOTHER GOOD IDEA***
It would also be better to address the “JOB”/UNEMPLOYMENT problem. These are very much link!!
Just an idea!
-Thanks
Which of the vagrants whom you know of in Roseau would you hire? And, who told you that the vagrants want to be hired?
Enough with the hollow slogans! Think instead, it is actually more exciting and fulfilling than regurgitating slogans.
I agree with you, the vagrants do not want to work. My questions to you are 1) is the problem a new one?
2) does Ian have any responsibility for this situation?
Rather than making this silly statement Ian should be telling the public what his government is doing to address the situation.
The problem in Dominica is not unemployment. It is laziness. The is so much land to cultivate and so many markets out there let people find ways and means to create their own employment.FINALLY TELL GOVERNMENT TO REMOVE THOSE LAZY BASTARDS ON WELFARE
@Anonymous Because Skerrit has spoilt them with this begging and mendicancy syndrome. That’s what a governments with no vision or plan do to the citizenry, to maintain power.
When will Skerrit remove Ian Douglas, Matthew Walter and Collin McIntyre from their respective ministries? These are the most critical portfolios with the most hopeless ministers.
I’m praying that the good lord will relieve us from this bundle of incompetence.
Did you hear Ian saying that he and his ministry are asleep?
HELP!
Sorry but from the PM and all the others miniters need to be moved out we had enough of the fail policies the coruption plus others we need to do something so the tourist that come to our shores feel safe when walking the streets, we also need people to get back to work so they will stop begging.
Mr.Douglas great,i think we should start with having a unit within the police force to deal with the tourist industry.They should be stationed their 24 hours a day to deal with the issue.I have seen it @ other destinations.
All u minister doh tiref talk, our ears hurting, all tralk and no work, jus mark d date
Go back to school first. Tourists can’t understand that kind of language.
Exactly Jimi Hendrix, he is always calling for what needs to be done, isn’t he supposed to be the one doing. Talk is cheap.
But can he do it? Is he respected where he is there?
Last week my son was harassed by a second begger within a couple of minutes, outside Whitchurch Roseau.
“White boy give me a dollar!” My son just said firmly “No!” The begger then said. “I’ll put a bullet in your head!”
Firstly my son is not white and this was his first return visit to Roseau as an adult and was collecting information for a group of work colleagues that were thinking of visiting Dominica this winter.
Well done parro.
Dem fellas create poverty with their HIGH TAX policies aka 15% VAT on a horizontal economy now they want to punish there creation. We never had so much poverty during Eugenia days.
Dominique Fini Bat with that Layba party!
And while they create the poverty, they are filthy rich.
Is this the Govt of DOminica? Cause everytime i hear u fellas cry it is for foreigners, i never hear u cry for DOminicans, what about the housing video from inside possie affecting Dominicans, what about the traffic congestion on the bayfront affecting Dominicans who live in Dominica when we have a cruise ship in port, u fellas really governing upside down and inside out.
Well, the only way I can see forward Mr. Minister is why can’t we tackle the idea of making vagrancy a crime in Dominica? I mean, there are such places as Grotto home for the homeless, there is welfare dept., there is also a psychiatric unit. We could try setting up a drug rehabilitation and counselling unit as well. So anyone wanting to go to either of these places may choose to do so. We should make vagrancy against the law as this threatens the safety of honest tax payers and threatens the very vulnerable tourist industry. It is also one of the reasons why Roseau has this continuous foul odor of urine etc.. at nights. If you are really serious Mr. Minister, then you should look to your law enforcement and health agencies, because a business owner or normal citizen can’t do anything to alleviate the vagrancy issue. I look forward to seeing what solution you guys come up with…
Mr. Minister you forgot about all the stray dogs on the street making it so messy. You must take a walk around town one of these days to see what I am speaking about. Please collaborate with the City Council to do something now.
People need to look after their animals – I see such skinny dogs tied up and I know of one who lives his whole life in a crate. People shouldn’t taken on animals if they cannot afford to feed them and cannot be bothered to exercise them. There should be some kind of education and laws on the matter beyond the Humane Society.
According to Minister Ian Douglas ”we have fallen asleep on the job.” That’s the ephithet of the ruling administration, coming from one of its own.
Ian has a tendency to identify the problems which everyone living in Dominica are aware of. He never puts forward solutions. He is a Minister of Government, he is in a position to do so something about the problem(s). But then again he is asleep on the job. Ian is just a talker; he is not a doer. He does not have the mantle to be a problem-solving minister.
“We have become too complacent, we have fallen asleep on the job, we need to wake up…” Oh the irony of that statement comming from Ian Douglas!
Regardless, it is a key factor that is hampering our developement and our ease of mind, and if Ian is willing to lead the charge to stamp this crime nonsense out once and for all, I’ll be more than happy to follow him all the way. Ian, Dominica will stand right beside you and support you 100% on this one!
At least,the Minister is speaking out about this persistent and pernicious problem. Acknowlegdegent is a good start and I hope it will be followed up by bold and corrective action.
– The mayor is in charge of Roseau and must be strong enough to rid the place of miscreants that lower the tone and make life a misery for visitors and locals alike. If that means he has to make himself unpopular and a nuisance with higher authorities, so be it.
– As for dilapidated- and neglected buildings/sites, give the owners limited time to either restore, demolish or landscape and after expiration of the notification date, acquire the properties compulsory if no action has been forthcoming.
– Obstruction of pavements and public roads not to be tolerated and rules- & legislation to be strictly enforced
– Hold owners/occupants of premises responsible for keeping the environment outside their premises clean. This should also include a strict interdiction of voiding liquid waste into the open street drains.
– Unsolicited touting for busniness is an unpleasant, if not harrowing experience for visitors and should be banned. Many a time I have witnessed them make a post-haste return to their ship when confronted with this.
Only by being firm and proactive can we create an atmosphere and ambiance for visitors and locals to enjoy. I want to look forward to viting our capital city again, a place to be proud of rather than endure what it is now, an unpleasant experience, best to be avoided if at all possible.
well said jimi hendrix
We have to address issues in the best interest of Dominicans first and not necessarily wait for visitors to give us negative feedback, or make that be the impetus, even. We have to take care of our own, be it environmental health, roads, sanitation hospital care etc. Lets do the big picture things for Dominicans as a priority and may the benefits trickle down to visitors! Dont clean your house just because of a visitor but because its the right thing to do continuously!
crime is a social problem that affects everyone.No doubt.but as a nation we need to address it from the roots up…from the source..what causes crime to be on the rise..Mr.Minister I would really like to hear your suggestion as to how to deal with the issue of the vagrants..The growing number of vagrants tell a story too.dont just look at the numbers..look at the cause!!round them up and hide them when the ships are in port and release the later…they are part of the city’s landscape..lol
Minister Ian Douglas,I agrees with you and crime has to stop in our country if we wants the betterment. we needs some special units like the RST team whenever the cruise ships are in port, and all the places of interest the cruise ship passengers are going, We also would like the streets clean with no gabbages flowing on the streets, no water or shit water flowing on the streets and the motorists to be caution when they are driving. The market should be clean and sell proper foods at all times. Coconuts waters can be poured into plastic bottles and packed into cooler boxes with ice to get cold, others can stay as they are cut when purchase and straws can be given to the people purchasing them with gabbage cans close where they can throw after.Harassment to the tourists must stop cause the tourists do not like these things, Friendly people must work when dealing with the tourists and they must always have smiling faces though matter what problems they may have. There must always have restroom where ever the tourists goes for they always needs these necessarities.Bus Drivers should be well mannered and polite when answering questions the tourists like to ask.I know sometimes they asked some stupid questions at times, but we have to answer them politely if we wants Dominica to be on top of the tourists industry and have tourists coming all year round. You as the minister of touristism must go out to others countrys, like Brazil,miami,Canada, Holland,Germany and other islands to have meeting with the people so that Dominica Tourist I ndutry can develop and more tourists can come to our island. We have lots of places for the tourists to see. Many of them do not know where Dominica is, we need our tourists industry to progress for our island and its people.If you take my advice you will see the benefits and how the tourists industry can be better .Thanks Connie Adrien Burgins
What about addressing the issue of mental illness on the island …..you will see changes then to the vagrancy
Great job Mr. Douglas! It’s about time someone realizes that especially crime should be the top priority. It affects visitors as well as locals. Let’s keep Dominica as the pearl it’s always been in the Caribbean. Dominicans need to realize that you really don’t have it as bad as you think. Just use your resources. It starts with the smallest person. Keep your yards clean. It show that you have pride within yourself. It makes people want to come and we all benefit from that because they spend money in the smallest business. Portsmouth, we love you. You are developing into a very beautiful town. Money will come, but we must do it together. Start with cleanliness.
Who is the somebody who has to realize something need so be done. Instead of pointing out the obvious, he should tell the people what the are going to do. That is quite different from saying what we should do. It is almost like somebody standing on the sidelines and just given orders to other people, except in this case unless the governmentg gets involved in a meaningful way, nothing is going to get done.
This is great news! I really hope they do something about it. It’s quite scary when you see some of these people that literally follow you around, much less for a foreigner. Also, the city needs a face lift. The old buildings, some burnt down for generations, and sidewalks needs to be fixed. A little TLC and paint goes a long way. I want to see my island to do better! Even little St. Kitts has a nice pavilion area when you get off the ship for vendors and duty free shops.
Ian instead of telling us what needs to be done, roll up your sleeve and do it. If it does nto fall under your ministry, get the relevant ministry to get the work done. I am so sick and tired of hearing government ministers saying what need to be done. You guys do too much talking and not enough doing.
I appreciate your comment but I am also asking ” What are you doing to help solve the problem?”
it is all of us business
Well if what I have been hearing rings true, then talk is all they can do.
so true its always what should be done its like this poem
Once upon a time, there were four people…
Their names were Everybody, Somebody, Nobody and Anybody.
Whenever there was an important job to be done,
Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
When Nobody did it, Everybody got angry because…
it was Everybody’s job!
Everybody thought that Somebody would do it,
but Nobody realized that Nobody would do it.
So, consequently, Everybody blamed Somebody…
when Nobody did what Anybody could have done in the first place!
– Anonymous (of course!)
so true not he that in the position as a minister to do what needs t be done?
That is because ministers do not “Do”. They are supposed to provide the leadership and strategic direction and the staff, the public service, then as to get it done. If they did then the ministers would not have to keep repeating themselves.
…but they have no strategic direction!!!! Duh!!!