Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my deep frustration and concern over a troubling issue that has been affecting our communities across Dominica. Increasingly, individuals are dismantling street lamp poles solely to steal the solar light attachments. This reckless behavior not only undermines public infrastructure but also jeopardizes the safety and security of residents and road users who depend on these lights for visibility and protection at night.
These reckless, selfish and destructive crimes need urgent attention from the police force. Public safety should be a top priority and I strongly urge both the Government and the Police Department to take decisive steps to address this matter.
There are practical measures that can be implemented immediately. Trail cameras and other surveillance technologies can be deployed to monitor vulnerable areas and identify perpetrators. Once caught, offenders should face strict penalties: a minimum of five years imprisonment, followed by the responsibility to replace the stolen or damaged lights after serving their sentence. Such measures would not only punish but also deter future offenders, ensuring accountability and restitution.
Dominica cannot afford to lose valuable infrastructure to criminal acts that go unchecked. Our communities deserve better protection, and our authorities must demonstrate that they are committed to safeguarding public resources.
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizen
Only in Dominica.
This is so embarrassing.
I over heard a couple who happened to be tourists
on a Soufriere bus they were wondering why would a person be so desperate
to do such a thing, there happens to be maybe one or two solar road lights left on that road.
Well said—I agree completely! I also think it would be helpful at some point to replace them with a more damage resistant type of pole (without the panel) to disincentivize the practice.
It is an unfortunate practice and I do not condone this. However, I question the wisdom of placing these lights in certain remote uninhabited areas. There should not be street lights in areas like Deux Branche/Gleau Gomier, for example. Lights in remote areas disturb nocturnal creatures environments; birds get confused and chirp at nights, thinking it is day, just as roosters crow in the city at nights due to city lights. In the villages and approaches to villages, lights are fine.
“There should not be street lights in areas like Deux Branche/Gleau Gomier, for example.” Until you are driving home at night and, unfortunately, you need to get out of your vehicle to replace a flat tyre.
Those lights are actually motion sensor lights, for the most part. They offer low-intensity lights until they detect motion, such as a passing vehicle. The use of such lights is intended to minimize potential harm to nocturnal creatures and not pollute the serene and natural environment with harsh lights.
Motion sensor lights?. You must be some kind of stupid. They are on a light sensor that switch on in the night and off during the day . You coming there and talk your nonesense . Doh talk if u doh know what u talking about
I agree. Some entire stretches of dangerous roads now have no lights whatsoever because a selfish thief has stolen them for himself. Make him pay.
You must be driving with your vehicle headlights off.