Two Canadian tourists were on Friday robbed at gunpoint at Batibou Beach which is located between the villages of Bense and Calibishie.
According to Police PRO Kenth Mathew, the two were robbed by five men dressed in black camouflaged clothing.
The victims’ hands and feet were bound by the men during the robbery.
The incident occurred at 1:30 pm.
One HTC smart phone, one LG cell phone and one digital HP recorder, worth US$950, were stolen from the couple.
The robbers also took EC$150 from the victims.
The men made good their escape with the tourists’ rental vehicle, registered TG105 owned by Road Runner Rental.
The same vehicle was recovered by the police following a robbery and shootout at the Marigot Credit Union.
I grew up in Dominica. I left just before my 21st birthday. I am now ancient as many young people would call it, Just turned 60. In my days a murder would happen probably every 8,9 or 10 years. I remember only two in all my years growing up there. Today it is a frequent occurance and is in line with countries with a population far greater that of Dominica. By the way, it is amazing that the population in dominica has stayed prety much the same. What happened? It is obvious that the mentality has changed, Mordernism has replaced simplicity, illigal drugs are way more prevalent, Decency has gone out the window, Guns has replaced fist fights to settle an argument and people want the fake life styles they see on TV. What can we do to stop the proliferation? 1. Understand that this is the result of a virus. 2.To elimiate the virus, all one has to do is reject it by saying no to it. No to Drugs, No to indecency, No to murder, No to robery, How do you do that? It is called conversion. A change of heart, a change of direction. Does one have the power in his or herself to do that? No. It comes only by accepting and putting your trust in one who has the power to change you. Jesus Christ.
My opinion as a Canadian,.. speaking as someone who would really like to visit Dominica to see all the beautiful things that I have read about the island, I find it a little disturbing to read about all these GUN related Crimes and sadly find myself re-thinking a trip solely in regards to this. It appears to me to be a lot of gun crime for an island that has a population of less than 75,000 people, I may be wrong in thinking this way, just appears that way.
From what I have read there is an increase of gun possession on the island, my suggestion would to be the implementation of a minimum sentence for ANY Crime committed with a gun, furthermore a minimum sentence for having the “Possession of an illegally owned and loaded gun”. In Canada we are currently trying to implement New Legislation in our own legal system, the New Law they are trying to pass in Ontario, Canada is a MINIMUM SENTENCE of 3 YEARS in Jail for anyone caught with the “possession of an illegally owned and loaded gun”. I think this is a fantastic idea, and many countries should seriously consider implementing the same. Bottom line of thinking, anyone that carries a loaded gun has the mentality to use it, the general population is in full agreement with this new legislation, I hope the Law eventually gets passed. (You can legally own a gun in Canada if you want to, however you need to obtain a Gun License through the Government which it is my understanding it expires every 5 years and you have to PASS the CFSC Exam (Canadian Firearms Safety Course) in order to obtain one of these license’s, also it is my understanding anyone with a criminal record is denied. (just for the record, I nor anyone I know has one of these license’s or any interest in having one))
Bottom line, you have to find a way to get the guns off the street, I would suggest someone with the power do so in Dominica, please try to get a similar law to this passed in your country too, just my friendly suggestion from the north. Dominica looks just so beautiful, pictures of it take my breath away, video clips I have seen have such friendly people, the bad apples I am reading about are wrecking the image of dominica for everyone, it really needs to be taken care of, I hope things get better.
It looked like the robbers were friends with the tourists, since they knew their whereabouts so good, that they would be able to obtain a vehicle to pursue their other ruthless act at the MCU
This is the most ridiculous thing I have read.
With this high level of infestation around accounts for the reason why I shall never return to Dominica.
ROAD RUNNER please tell your clients do not go to batibou, this is not your first vehicle ending up in this on the exact same beach and similar incidents
This is very disturbing.
We’ve been 2 times in Dominica in the last 2 years and went several times at Batibou without any problem. Last time was Feb 2011.
It was a shock reading the news and the series of events since the attack on the german last July. However I personally don’t intent to restrict myself to go back to this wonderfull country and people I discover in 2010 because of a few clowns. We don’t want to live in fear.
The resorts and guesthouse need to come up with some sort of “neigbourwatch” program.
A little solution could be to coordinated the visit to Batibou. If a guesthouse/appartments have guests wishing to go at Batibou, the manager of the guesthouse/appartment should call the other who accomodate guests and planned a group visit at Batibou. They could share a schedule, let’s say Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun and if the guests wants to go outside a group or a schedule day, the manager must have the responsability to advice them is at their risk.
I’m pretty sure those criminals will be much less courageous if there’s 8 to 10 people on the beach.
That was my two cents
very good idea
Very good advice,hope they take that into consideration.
At the moment it is better to say …. NOBODY go there.
If they take guards … they are putting themselves AND the guard in danger …. for what?
After all is said and done … it is just another Caribbean beach.
People need to stop being so selfish. The hotels need to stop saying that Batibou is one of the most beautiful in the world … it is not … it’s the most beautiful here …. but not worth dying/raping/mugging for. Man, in Santo Domingo they have about 50 like that.
If you plug up a mouse hole what happens? Does the mouse disappear, or simply dig another hole. If you close down one beach, these men will just do their crimes at another. Instead, the public should work with law enforcement to catch these thugs that are destroying the reputation of this beautiful country…one robbery at a time. Law and order starts at a community level. One spoiled apple spoils the whole bunch…To get rid of this band of thugs everyone must work together, and not only expect more from the government and law enforcement, but also of themselves. God Bless, those who have enough spirit and pride to take action.
It does not matter how many people you have there 10 or more if the criminal’s have guns what are you going to do what they need are armed undercover guards or police patrols on those beaches long ago in Dominica you would not have to go to such extremes.
I condem dat act and any other which takes place in our country. I want to make it clear that batiboub is not Calibishie . Hodges Bridge and Hamsted bridge seperates calibishe from Woodford hill and Bense respectively. In saying where things happen we must get our bearings right.This time the police said it right.Those who know the culprits should tell the police and by the way not any police. Go to CID insted.I really wish they catch them
I expect that the tourists were staying in Calibishie though.
Calibishie needs to tell people do not go there.
Once the guys are caught … wait a month … see if anyone else moves in …. if not … start going again.
We do NOT need this international negative press. If they had been told most likely they would not have gone there. we are all responsible if we do not say. We must all stop being selfish.
To many wicked people in this land. God is talking to us. I am just so sorry that it the innocent people who are being affected. God help us
Tiyani Behanzin … 6 months and voila!
Rural Police in Dominica do nothing! i say nothing! they wake up, talk on the phone, eat and eat some more. at the end of the month they get a salary. They don’t patrol, they don’t dress up in uniform. they don’t respond to calls if they don’t have a vehicle.
It starts from the head. There seem to be no clear expectations for the police officers. Chief of police you are failing. It is time to hold our officer accountable for failure.
We can’t control crime if the police force is broken. fix it, and fix it quickly.
It is a damn shame what type of police force we have in dominica
this is not how is use to be. lets get the pride, respect and accountability back in the force.
Dominica needs police to get authorization to hunt down and kill these rogues! putting them in jail at my taxpayers expense in a cell surrounded by 4 walls and tv, 3 meals a day is a luxury that we should not afford them. i am all for use of leathal, deadly force against rapist, drug smugglers & arms dealers.
dominica has a rise oof crime\terrorist! terrorist who terrorize the citizens and tourist, we need to use harsh force and techniques I don’t care if we operate outside of the law to achieve peace and safety, security.
sometimes i wonder whats wrong with we domiminacns everything that happens blame the goverment it looks like is the goverment that dis not raise them children properly or is the goverment that make them turn out how they be.. i wonder when will wi stop blaming the goverment and start putting work in action.. is not the goverment that choosing wheter we go hell or heaven so blame govrment!!!
Legalize the weed and the coke and “voila”
got nothing to say why don’t you just shut the hell up
Legalize the weed…Destroy the coke, a.k.a–the devil’s dandruff.
don’t put the holy herb in your foolishness boy
I actually agree. At least the weed anyway.
So much paperwork, legal work, lawyer work and feeding and housing weed smokers who get caught. People who smoke only weed (rather than a mix with harder drugs) very seldom create violence …. fact.
What a waste of time. Meanwhile you can drink too much rum and get into fights and hurt people … it makes no sense.
I am happy my friends are ok and I thank the community for their commitment to finding justice.
As Johhny Canuck has stated Canada in general is a peaceful country and our idea of justice does not involve extreme retribution, murder, or torture.
I am thankful that this incident did not end in a worse manner and am looking forward to seeing my friends on Canadian soil.
Its true that the death penalty and torture isnt something the Canadian Government believe in,but to say Canada in general is a “peaceful” country, please! their isnt one day you dont hear about some form of crime. Young children abducted,sexually assulted and murdered, husbands killing their wives, parents killing their children,priest abusing children,teachers having sexual relationships with their students, police killing innocent black males . you call that peaceful. Dont thibk you can fool us Dominicans living in Canada.
Crime is inevitable anywhere you go. But I can tell you right now I can go anywhere in this country and feel safe. There are very few areas where I would not feel comfortable. Do we have crime yes, drug crime, theft, murder etc. But compare the statistics, they are at all time lows in Canada. If the news is your only form of exposure to Canada then this place is going to look like a living hell. But I can tell you that the reality is much different. I am glad you are living in Canada and I welcome you openly. But I don’t understand your perspective because it is clearly not what I see. If there is some sort of lopsided injustice happening please let me know so we as Canadians can work towards a solution.
@Fair n Balance…You are one BIG DAM***!!! nice try tho.
The Canadians who were robbed and mugged are very good friends of mine and we are very happy they are not badly injured. We wish for their safe return to home in Canada.
It is a good thing that so many Dominican people want justice and for the police to make it safer for tourists and Dominicans. It is good that you think about your tourist friends.
Many of you say the robbers and thugs should be shot and killed by the police and others say everyone should have guns to shoot criminals. Canadians do not like guns for everyone, only for responsible prople. Canadians believe in justice that does not kill or execute criminals.
Be careful what you say about killing – this kind of talk might scare away Canadian tourists, and many countries believe in justice that does not kill or torture. These are difficult problems, but Canadians think talk of killing people is not so good.
Thank you to the Dominicans who helped my friends and who want justice.
Johnny, let me say I as a Dominican feel badly that anyone has to visit our country, and be subjected to a robbery!
Indeed the way things are right now in Dominica, we all should feel very happy that your friends escaped with their life’s.
While we wish them well in the future, our hope should be that the police capture the criminals who perpetrated that crime. On the other hand, I’ve been to Canada, countless times, I can’t remember how many times I’ve been there; it’s like a ritual, since each summer I drive from Los Angeles, to Toronto, across Canada actually.
Each year I spend about a month in Canada, and whereas you say that Canadians does not like guns, I would perhaps prefer to say some of them!
Every year I go to Canada, I see in the news, shooting in York: East, West, or north, Mississaugar, Brampton, Ajax, and elsewhere!
Basically crimes has no bounds, though we need to do all within our nations power to stamp it out in our country!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
i live in canada and i have to say, most canadians appreciate being in a country where gun violence is not very high and this is due in part to the restrictions on firearms in our country. some criminals do get guns and that is scary and a problem. but guns DO NOT PROTECT PEOPLE – more guns means more opportunities to get shot.
Too many crimes are happening on the North of the island it is so very sad. I think that the government need to come and speak harshly about the ills that are happening. I am worried and scared who is next innocent people are paying for it. Too many guns are out there.. we need help.
How is that their were about 6-7 police officers on site , and they allowed 3 of the guys to get away. Apart from the office who shot one of the suspects (whom I consider a HERO ) the rest should be FIRED. According to some eye witness these guy were running through the streets in Marigot, where were the office? taking cover? Foolishness.
These guys didn`t get away in a vehicle,they escaped by foot. Why they were not persue by the officers. I could understand if they caught 3 and 1 escaped, but it`s shameful that they allow these criminals to get away.
While I tend to agree with you somewhat, one thing you have to remember. When you have little hand guns and people have auto and semiautomatic weapons firing at you then that’s a fight that’s already been lost. That was the case on Friday. Therefore the police need to step on their ammunition. You cannot be SSU and patroling with hand guns. Get them pumps out! Grenades if you have to!
If we Dominicans were not too forward,the officer`s would have had a good chance of shooting another guy ,but there was too crowded so they could not have taken the risky chance of shooting. so please let us learn to keep our distance in things like that.
Where is the Minister for National Security I haven’t heard him say anything about the crimes taking place on the island. Especially, the crimes against the tourist visiting our island. The Minister of National Security needs to address the nation. Let us see that he is against what is taking place. Tourism is everybody business and some of us our bread and butter, so therefore, we can’t have a few destroy that for us. We need to step up and destroy them instead with new laws, no bail….
The Minister of tourism need to put up signs on the beaches. Batibou beach need light at 5:pm it is very dark and some form of security.
We need CCTV at all financial institutes and police patrol. Too many police are sitting down on their butts. If the police don’t have police cars, then give them police bikes.
THOSE THINGS ARE HAPENING BECAUSE WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM GOD .DOMINICA WAS “THE LAND OF THE LORD “.IT STILL IS BUT WE HAVE LOST OUR FOCUS .WE HAVE MOVED OUR EYES AWAY FROM THE LORD.WE ALL NEED TO RETURN TO THE HABIT OF GOING TO CHURCH AGAIN.NO MATER WHAT RELIGION WE BELONG TO WE NEED TO STEP OUT IN FAITH AND GO TO CHURCH .WE NEED TO PRAY FOR GODS LOVE AND PROTECTION AND DEVINE PROVIDENCE
WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE DAYS OF YCW,LEGION OF MARY ,HOLY NAME SOCIETY,FULL GOSPEL AND CHARISMATIC MOVENTS
WE NEED TO GO BACK TO PILGRIMAGE OF FATIMA ,ST ANN AND LASALETTE ,TO NAME A FEW.WE NEED MORE RETREAT AND MISSIONS AND PRAY ,PRAY PRAY.
WE ARE NOW OBSERVING THE LENTERN SEASON .IT SEEMS TO BE THE RIGHT TIME FOR NATIONAL REFLECTION AND RECONCILIATION.LET US FOCUS ON GODS MESSAGE AND VISION AS OUTLINED IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS .THIS IS ONE PROBLEM WE CANNOT SOLVE WITHOUT GODS HELP
what happen nah is a game nah
It’s so sad 2 but true but some of these people who does have education but just lazy and doing any thing.They travel or follow other people who has travel already and try 2 do what they c over seas, that’s why it is so hard 4 dominicans in guadeloupe before some-thing happen a dominican is alway’s involve true or not they are alway’s mention.Some-thing need 2 be done but the pm cannot do it alone dominicans needs 2 stand together if not we’ll be lost
They MUST STOP THE SALE OR IMPORT OF CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHING IN DOMINICA. THE POLICE MUST MAKE THIS GUY TALK.
AS FAR AS I KNOW THE USE OF CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHING BY NON MILITARY PERSONAL IS ILLEGAL IN THE ISLAND OF DOMINICA.THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE AUTHORITIES GIVE THE PUBLIC PERMISSION TO WEAR CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHING IN CARNIVAL AS COSTUMES ETC THE CLOTHING REMAINS IN THE POSSESSION AFTER CARNIVAL AND IT CAN GET IN THE WRONG HANDS .ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL!!!!!! NO CAMOUFLAGE TO NON MILITARY PERSONAL PERIOD!!!!!
We all know there is a problem and it takes time for the police to catch the offenders. The issue, however, is why don’t the government and the police put preventive measures in place in order to stop these crimes from happening in the first place. Everybody can tell you: prevention is better than cure.
What I am afraid of most: by the time the government and the police finally get there act together it might be to late for Dominica! God help Dominica and it’s people if that was to happen. It’s not easy to step up from being a developing country and it can take decades for that to happen, but it is very easy to make a step or two back and that can happen within a very short period of time in deed. Worst of all, a recovery from there, as things are in the world at present, is virtually impossible. Welcome back to 19th century! I am so sad.
with all the help that the government requests from china why dont they ask them for security assistance. there is no way that criminals in China can get away-why because of all the camera’s in every part of the country. Our government should ask China for the same for the island. If this is what our young people want to turn to-violence- then the country needs to protect itself and its citizens. with camera’s all over we will catch them and that way the police wont be able to screw up with the evidence
is not just asking for camera’s you know. you all think the U.S police are deadly, but most of their crimes are solved through means of technology and we don’t have that. you can’t ask for camera’s and those things when they can’t be admitted in evidence. Sometimes we have hard evidence of camera, but because it can’t be admitted in evidence people go free, for instance the peter alleyne son’s case where he was seen on camera. it is easy to fix those problems, just draft out the law and go into parliament and pass them, just like u did the new firearms act and the others
You mean this beach is still open to visitors? not even a warning?, I am lost for words, after all that already happened at that beach the Gov’t could not intervene and prevent another incident at that beach?, shame on them,
i think form the time they took off the death penalty, alot of crime happening in D/A .bring back the death penalty ,police patrol, police on bikes to control trafic, and citizen patrol, why people dont talk any more! because no one listens, all people do now is hate , hate hate, to much for a small ISland , what we need is law and order.
It appears that our tourist industry is under attack. Yes the Caribbean region should put their heads together not emotionaly but objectively and deal with the problem as one. Who want us to fail.The thieves if local must realise they are self-destructing.
Everybody shouting now, shame, and hang them, but when the same thing was happening in Dominica snd PJ passed the law, the same people, when they discover it was their children that kill the white man that was building the deep water harbour, they all did enough to put PJ in jail.
The question I am asking is who want to distabilise the government. Because the kind of criminal with bullet proof vest, ay ay,……who paying them to give Dominica a bad name. Who duh want the caribbean to succeed.
calibishe must try to save der name.. i mean c’mon… those kind of things alone i hearing happening in bishie..
READ THE NEWS PAPER AND LISTEN TO THE NEWS THE CRIMINALS IN THIS MATTER ARE NOT FROM CALIBISHIE VILLAGE!!!!!!!!AND BATIBOU BEACH IS NOT I REPEAT NOT IN CALIBISHIE,ITS IN THE BENSE AREA SO CHECK THE MAP OF DOMINICA .CALIBISHIE RUNS FROM THE HODGES RIVER CLOSE TO WOODFORDHILL TO HAMPSTEAD RIVER .DO YOUR HOME WORK GASA.WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IS MORE POLICE PATROLS IN THE TOURIST AREAS AROUND THE ISLAND.
we are trying to save our name those thugs come from different parts of our country. it is not where the crime was committed that will affect our lovely country,but what is done about those aninmals that commit those crimes. some dominicans just hate to see the development in my village and its surroundings,so they are trying to destroy our name. sadly they destroyng our country on a whole
not a surprise! Why do people even come to the caribbean, just pure lawlessness
people come to the caribbean because it’s beautiful and a reasonably priced getaway. you can walk down the street with a beer and 99 percent of the people are super nice and cool and helpful. lawlessness is a misnomer at best – the law works differently and it’s perhaps underfunded and under resourced, but in the end the police catch them!
Its a matter of fact that those responsible for national security and the tourism industry should do something. Sad to know that Dominica has become such a place. what a reality to face in such a time.
Can they not close the Batibou beach entirely? Too many crimes on tourists happening there.
The robbery is affecting the tourism industry and this is becoming our main form of income on the island. when it is taken from us, what next?
i would squeeze his face till pus ooze out of it for him to call the other names involved!!
the police just checked his cell phone and got all his contacts and connections – technology doesn’t lie, but a tortured bastard might
The entire moral structure of Dominican society is cracking up. The goverment is powerless to do anything about it. Disregard for the law shows its ugly head at virtually all levels, even among those charged with the maintenance of law and order. Social disintegration appears inevitable. Sad to say…
What is wrong with Dominica? Watching to much TV. Marpin & SAT to BLAME here. Big Time! I totally and strongly agree. Very bad influence on the country.
We have two choices as this beach more than any other i guess because of its remoteness is becoming a serious issue. 1. have security guards or some other form of policing on the beach and surrounding area or 2. shut the beach down. I know it sounds crazy but something has to give. This is pure and unadulterated madness.
though your idea is good, you have to realize when you shut it down they will just go to some other beach, they don’t care, they are wicked at heart
now going on 5 years I does nt send my guests to Batibu ,Hampstead , escalier tete chien or Layou ,neither go on my own there now , a pity the most beautiful places of Dominica , i find the simple and still cheap solution is place 2 policemen on each place in the bush monitoring what happen plus 2 on the road to reach there from 8am to 7pm ,is nt it possible?
lord god i said that yesterday… they need to start with that rental company… these ppl are robbers in broad daylight.. and dno i can back up that statement… they teef start the investigation there u cannot tell me that for more than 65% of the recent robberies is that rental company that is used and the police still not taking that as a major lead.
officers just hinting. get inland revenue to audit them and u might just see a trail…. linking to numerous illicit activities.
i don’t think road runner had anything to do with the situation – fact is, they’re a popular business and people rent from them. road runner did not have a list of sites being visited by the tourists in question and i don’t think that they had a gps tracking device on the jeep to alert the criminals of the whereabouts of the jeep.
Drive down Batibou and go get them.
Who the hell told them tourists to go there? Where were they staying? They are at fault too (the hotel should have warned them).
THIS IS ENOUGH. I don’t care who friend they are …. arrest them now police.
Who the hell put thumbs down
?
Good lord some strange people about.
Like I keep saying,bring the ’80s styles of Policing. Catch them and make an example of those bastards. We did so people was more fearful of committing crimes.
When there is an infestation of rats in your home what would you recomemend?Well i suppose you know the solution. When there is an upsurge in crimanls activities in the country what would be the best solution? Well, the same why we would use poison to destroy the rats i think the state should re-in state the death penalty to get reed of these criminals. Believe me this is the only solution to reduce crimes in this critical times we are living.
I spent a week in Mexico resort two years ago…the military police patrolled the baches to protect the tourist. There will always be criminals but we must protect the tourism industry. Skerritt…the government needs to protect the tourist. It’s a must…
With the almost demise of banana export, Dominica cannot survive economically without tourism. It is very sad that people in the travel industry are out there working extremely hard to promote the Island (which has so much to offer visitors) and criminals are running around out there undermining this effort by committing these horrible crimes against visitors. It broke my heart when I read about the French family who were attacked at the beach and their daughter raped. To think, when they were packing their bags in preparation for their vacation they probably thought they were heading for paradise, but instead – total nightmare. My sympathy also goes out to the law abiding, God fearing, honest, hardworking people of Dominica. Ultimately, they too are victims of these horrible crimes.
this batibou place should be blocked off frm public use!!
Do you know how beautiful that beach is? Hmmm….it’s quite sad just thinking that ppl are practically gonna be avoiding “a piece of heaven on earth” because of these good-for-nuttin guys giving the place a bad name. Ah, magway sa
Batibou is one of the most beautiful places on earth as is Dominica as a whole. My rental car was broken into a few years back while we were swimming in the sea and everything was taken. I only wonder what would have happened if they had come down to the beach to rob us. Something must be done to protect the people who want to enjoy the beauty especially since this is not the first time. Pretty soon it won’t just be tourists but locals too who fall prey to the crimes.
We really need to continue with that corporal punishment
This is just not a Dominica problem ,but a Caribbean problem. Caricom / OECS need to come together and formulate a strategy to protect visitors,and I dare say locals , from these increasing forms of attack. In the end we all stand to loose more than a Blackberry , we will lose the very bread that is now sustaining us.
yes that is true
wow after forgeting about Dominica for 15 years can’t belive this Shout out frenzy wow never to return the people are so dumb and crazy good luck
@ Holiday Island Man
By making it a regional problem you are not helping the situation but trivialising it by generalisation.
Everyone knows how excrutiatingly slow CARICOM drag thier feet on all issues. This is first and foremost a Dominican issue. Dominica must stand up and take responsibility for its internal affairs instead of raising thier arms up at the first threat and surrendering woefully.
When faced with the notorious dread attacks in the 70’s and 80’s the governments then, did not balk, instead through tough legislation and decisive security mobilisation the unrest was abated.
This is our problem and we are the ones to step out on the streets and show a no tolerance in mighty rallies against crime at all levels in government, in elections, on the streets, in the home , in the workplace and not wait on Caricom leaders to have another meeting and another and another talk shop going nowhere as usual. We are the ones to show huge support for our police on the front line for us and not pass on the buck
This is a Dominican problem of epic proportions. My son and daughter in law were planning to come down in May to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
They have now rearranged their plans for Jamaica. I own a home and vehicle in Calibishie and my own family is becoming afraid to go and worry for my safety. What do you think tourists that have never visited nor know anybody on the island think?
The amount of bad press from Dominica is growing by the day. Tell me what happens when parents start becoming concerned for their children at Ross University? What happens when cruise ships just pass us by?
The government is playing with fire not escalating law enforcement assets or asking for help to deal with this. Dominica has no chance of just living off the largess of China and Venezuela. Tourism is literally a matter of national security. The protection of tourists, which would have the benefit of making everybody safer, needs to be the number one priority.
Here we go again making ridiculous comparisons!
How can the problem not be a Dominica problem, when people are getting robbed and brutalized on the island every day?
How can it be a Caribbean problem and not a Dominica problem?
If you said this is unique to the Caribbean, since people do committed similar crimes against the tourist who visits the islands, that would be more understandable.
However to conceive in your mind that it is not a Dominica problem is rubbish!
The reason we are not moving forward in Dominica, is because of the small minded people in our country whenever something is proposed they quickly glanced at all of the other islands to if what is proposed already exists on the other islands, if they hear of anything that remotely appears to anything proposed in Dominica, all hell breaks loose.
We ” doh want it,” how ridiculous can we get? Here you have worn your badge of honor very well on your forehead: If you can take the attention off what these very sick criminals are doing in the country it will take your pain away.
You had better wake up and face the facts as they present themselves in our nation. The situation in bad in Dominica and you had better accept that.
It is not a Caribbean problem, it is a Dominica problem, just because it is happening elsewhere, does not mean we must accept and tolerate that sort of thing in our country!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
why the person the shoot name is not on the news and his picture after all they did and where is he from i hope is not he who rub the credit union before this one
i know right….someone who might have seen him shortly before the robbery may have identified his companions…well i bet thy making their way out of the country…..if the others escapes it will be partly blamed on the poor/slow acting of the police…
I AM WEEPING!!!
OH DOMINICA!!!!
WHAT HAS BECOME OF YOU?
No law or no constitution syndrom taking over in DA, PM guess you are satisfied that Some of the malcontents are listening to you
LET US WEEP IN SORROW ,BUY LET US PRAY .LET GO AND LET GOD
I am on the same ship with you…weeping
Who ever is in chArge of national defense, the police comissioners, police force: WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING?
If we do not make an example of criminals who are caught and raise security measures to catch those still out there Dominca will soon be over run by thugs.
Look at all the countries with high crime rates. Do you think their crime was always that high? NO. It is because no one arrested the problem when it was minimal.
POLICEFORCE you are the only body standing between order and caos. Please start implementing strategies to lessen the crime. What about police patrols around roseau and other busy areas of the north…Why arnt a few policemen put on regualr patrol in certain areas…POLICE what are you guys doing????
Actually what I meant to say is its because no one arrested the problem while it was minimal that it became such a big problem later on…
again POLICE what are you guys doing????/where is the law????? where oh where can they be???
RIP tourism in Dominica.
….you can say that again
HANG them! But shooting them in their face can pass aswell. Lord knows why i am not a police officer, cuz as far as i concern all criminals would be dead.
The ppl of Bense and Calibishie need 2 get 2geda organise some kind of community policin or sumting cause der communities r hurtin and in the long run D/ca
Its hard for me to believe that people from the villages dont know who is committing these vicious crimes either dominicans have learned to mind their business or the villagers are more wicked than the criminals by not giving them up.
The criminals are not from the Calibishie community, I would be suprise if they are.
Bad rep, you know everything that`s happening around you? How would the people from Bense and Calibishie know who the criminals from paix Bouche or wherever they`re from are.You`re talking about ppl being wicked. Why dont you ,who is so concern form a group and patrol the area. Sometimes in life if you cannot contribute to making things better you should just shut the hell up…
fair and balance, 4 men walking around in camoflage jackets commiting crimes and nobody knows who they are? partner you must think you in los angeles man, or you watching too much tv
Those types of news is not good for the tourist in Dominica.The Goverments need come down hard at those people doing these kind of crimes.
WE MUST NOT BE TOO BUSY ,PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE ;ALTHOUGH THIS MUST STOP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEY HAVE ONLY 99 DAYS A HEAD OF THEM BUT THE POLICE HAVE ONLY 1 DAY.THEY WILL SOONER OR LATER MAKE A MISTAKE LIKE ALL CRIMINALS.
THIS MUST STOP BECAUSE WHEN FOREIGNERS WILL HEAR AND SUFFER TO MUCH WITH THOSE WASTE OF SPACE THEY WILL STAY AWAY FROM DOMINICA AND THE CRIMINALS WILL CONTINUE THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN DOMINICA TO DOMINICANS…I WISH A VERY GOOD LUCK TO THE POLICE…
REMEMBER IN THE DAYS OF TUMBA PJ HAD THIS LAW DEAD OR ALIVE. UR PRIME MINISTER SHOULD HAVE DEAD PLEASE.I WOULD LIKE TO SAY FIRST TIME I`M READING U ALL COMMITS AND THEY ARE NOT POLITICAL COMMENTS GOOD KEEP IT UP
PJ DID ALOT OF GOOD IN HIS TIME. HE REALLY HAD THE CRIME UNDER CONTROL, AFTER SAYING, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. AND THE DREAD ACT REALLY WORKED. HARSH MEASURES NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE OR ELS WE WILL HAVE A LAWLESS CONSTITUTION.
what i dislike about Dominicans they are Pretenders at all forms of the Game..
You think if this Regime was heads up they wouldnt have given the Law Enforcement the nesscary tools and confidence to go after those theives in the Society….
Less face it how much back up check are down in that area, have the Law Guys look at the avenue of using normal vehicles to scout the area periodically etc…whats the focus tell me…
Dominican chat alot but have very little to show and not being able to be Pro-Active we have a a Dull and laided back Society at all ends.
Dominicans dont show priority aspects its key just look at the trend of Governance…you think if you had the Best Brains or folks who deliver a High standard etc…things wouldnt be under some level of Control…look at the Head of the Police Force…what can you expect from a Chief who is Timid and the Force plus the public at large still keeps him in office..wow..
We often wonder why we arent ahead or on par with other islands etc…but we have alot to learn.
Have we sort the advice of foreign help in terms of the way forward etc..absoultley “NO”
We are stock with our sill Pride which in the end get us Zero…facts are facts..as a Society we see ills but completely bury our heads in the sand..
Dominica it will only get worst before this ever gets better…the Churches have tried but no luck
Prayers cant be answered if you serving two masters…Dominica is a classic example of that..
NO Law not even the Constitution can do what…haha..Did the Churches kick against it no..Did the Masses Kick against it no..
Will advocate that Dominicans Pretend way too much!
@Current Affairs..
This is NOT a general election time, this is the time to fight against gun-men who are working against our tourist industry. No one is blaming the opposition.
Now, why should people in the opposition blame the government for what these bloody criminals do to our people, and our beloved country’s economy???
If you keep up these kinds of comments here, soon you will make people think that the opposition party is behind these gun-men who are plotting to kill Dominica’s tourist-industry. I hope that you are not part of the TALK-SHOW.
These culprits, thieves and murderers needs to be stopped. so, please keep your TALK-SHOW for the next general elections.
Thumbs up for the police!!!
Every one is calling out for peace and justice, hope it does not fall on death ears. Enough said.
the one they shot in his face in marigot must be a suspect. i’m so happy that they shot him in his face so that they could identify that bastard. i’m so happy that an example was made with one of those thugs because if they were not caught, they would make the general public to believe that it was done by marigot young men. & i greatly appreciate the work that the task force carried out in trying to catch these bandits.
Two words: BEACH SECURITY
as though i heard that the robbers were arrested last night while they were sharing their lout,outside tarreau.thats what i heard,dno do you have any info of the same?
Hertz and other car rental places in the US have stopped visible identification of their cars as rentals due to crimes targeted at tourists.
The practice of putting “H” (for hire) on license plates of rental cars in Dominica should be stopped immediately.
Any external marking on a rental vehicle identifying it as such should be removed, otherwise tourists renting them are bound to be targeted.
Agreed. This is disturbing.
That may be so but in doing this what number would you give them? The company branding on the windshieds are more prominant that the license plate in identifying a rental here.
You seem to be out of dominica for more than 15 years otherwise you will know that commercial vehicle(business incl tourist) license numbers are preceded by a “T” and not “H” which is reserved for taxis and public transport buses.
well then tell me what D/ca comin to now?Young boys do not want to work, fast money and other people pay for that. Squeeze the sore and make the boy talk, the one who got the shot in his face yesterday, make him talk,
enough is goin on for us, too much curruption in DOMINICA and who is responsible? we all know.
am here to Toronto promoting DA and this happening to Canadian couple, there needs to be more protection for visitors to our nature island
you trying to tell me these things dont happen in Toronto? I live in Toronto and “its no bed of roses” Although it`s hard for us to imagine whats happening at home, Dominica by far is still much safer than you`ll ever be in Toronto.when you`re not targeted by the ordinary criminals,you`re targeted by those who wear uniforms and take the law into their own hand always getting away with it.
at least you are honest. we hate what is going on, i see american tv, investgative discovery, 48 hours, are they not real programs. some people think that crimes don’t happen in their country or maybe they don’t have time to see their news.
again i am digusted about what is going on, i want those guys shot and killed,but don’t act like crimes only happen in da.
The vehicle number is TJ015
And the driver of the vehicle I hope he gives the police the information they need to catch the rest.
“Sons of female dogs’ They should be severely punished.
I DO HOPE NO LAWYER REPRESENT THESE MONSTERS IN
COURT. IF THEY DO, THEY ARE JUST AS BAD. SHOOT
THEM BECAUSE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH NO SYMPATHY.
Some of The lawyers don’t worry and many will look to benefit from the loot taken from the credit union and from sales made from stolen item of the tourist and will represent them. For many its all about the money. They will make their money do those criminals cases and then help them back on the street again. It ‘s maybe when it hit home they will stop representing those criminals. The country need to take a stand on robbery and them criminals……PLEASE!!!!!
the authorities need to close this beach to tourists, we may say we are a free country but these thugs are hurting our image
The government should put a restriction on tourist visiting the north eastern part of Dominica until the locals start to finger out these perpetrators and restore order that region. When they realize how much their businesses will suffer without the tourists then they will understand the magnitude of this situation. The country is already struggling as it is, running away one of our little source of income is just absolutely retarded.
yes i agree with u on that,
i dont understand , why people doing this to our little sweet ISland , something needs to be done and fast, all we have left is tourist, they take away our BANANA ,OUR LIME , please leave our good name please Dominicains fight for it plz.
How can you be so sure that the criminals are people from the North East? Have you considered that the secluded location of some of the beaches in these areas may be a factor that attracts criminals from all over the island?
nonsense gasa!!!!The Calibishie area is a tourist area because of its beaches etc we cant help that the north east is beautiful .What we can do is have the police patrol the beaches on a regular basis.And jus for the information of all Batibou beach is in the Bense area
WE NEED PROFESSIONAL INTERVENTION…WHERE IS THE PROPOSAL WHICH DR.ST.JEAN GAVE TO THE DOMINICA GOVERNMENT. WE NEED TO TAK ACTION NOW!!!! MONEY SHOULD NT BE AN ISSUE. PAY THE MAN AND PLEASE LET’S TRY AND PUT A HALT ON CRIME BEFORE IT IS 2 LATE!! SKERROOOOOOOOO!!! PLEASE GET SERIOUS.
I am a Dominican living abroad. My mother was doing business in the Marigot Credit Union when it was robbed! It was very frightening to hear that she was in possible danger! It’s heartbreaking to see what is happening to Dominca. This is definitly not good news for a developing tourism economy or foreign investment.
Desperate times calls for desperate measures. The police must pursue them relentlessly until every single lead has been explored. They should be considered armed and dangerous and the officers themselves must take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety and that that of the citizenry. Time to mobilize the SSU with clear rules of engagement.
” I HEREBY DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE COMM. OF DOMINICA, AND IN SO DOING, DECLARE THAT ALL OFFICERS OF THE LAW (Police, Customs, Forest Guards) WILL BE ARMED 24/7 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THEY ARE ALSO EXEMPTED FROM PROSECUTION IF THEY KILL ANY VOLEUR, ESCAMOTEUR OR ENVIOLE, REGARDLESS OF THE SOCIETAL POSITION SUCH CRIMINALS MAY HOLD”
Signed: President Shameless
Senior Judge, Jury & Executioner
Comm. Of Dominica
yes i like this one!!
There is no need for overreacting or suspension of civil liberties. Putting to much power in the hand of irresponsible humans usually end up in regret.
@Shameless
A level head is needed. This is a small group, and thier action is urban/vilage related so targeted action is waht is needed. Dominica is small so it should not be hard to home in on them once you use the right approach.
Citizens must never gullibly trade in thier basic liberties in panic situations, since once gone it never returns.
strongly disagree with your comment. making your country a police state and giving some people exceptional powers without oversight is a recepie for disaster in so many ways. keep dominica free and catch the criminals slowly and using just and reasonable laws.
The police should conduct a sting in that area. Get some undercover white officers from I interpol etc and bait these guys in.
either they post a sign at the beach “BATHE AT YOUR OWN RISK OR COME WELL ARMED AND IN GROUPS”or they have armed security there. why arent the hoteliers advise the tourist on the dangers of such areas?
WELL IS THEM FELLARS THAT RAPED THE YOUNG WOMAN FEW WEEKS ABACK!!!!!I WANT THE POLICE TO CAPTURE THE REST & PUT THEM IN JAIL WITH SOME BIG BOYS THAT HAVENT SEEN WOMEN FROM YEARS TO SHOW THEM WHAT IF FEELS LIKE!!!
We need steeper penalties for such crimes. After all the greater good of all the people of Dominicxa is what that matters. The individual rights come second. My government must now take note. The issue of unemployment is not a sufficient argument to give solace to these criminals. After all they are the deportees from Gwada and USA. They have no intention to seek employment locally. They are gangsters and mustbe treated thus. By the way, isn’t it time enough for the media to repport that Mr. “So and so” was allegedly by the police in an operation outside the Marigot Police station as the law officers were on hand to thwart a possible bank robbery. What is wrong with that?. It is very possible that Mr “So and So” was cut in the cross fire and not necessarily implicated without sufficint proof in the bank robbery. Why should there be speculation as to who it is that is nursing gun shot wounds at the Intensive Care Unit of the PMH?
@observer
1. Stiffer penalties do nothing, when they are no implemented. If the culprits are not caught then putting stiff penalties is just a waste of t ime. A more effective judiciary will suffice since on the books most of the punishment are stiff enough.
2. By not giving the name of the shot ‘participator’ the police are prevent the public from giving information that may very well help apprehend the others at this early stage of the case. The public is the police best asset yet they never seem to want to facilitate the public to help them.
Where in Dominica)is Batibou Beach?
First crime at Batibou —- shame on the thugs.
Second crime at Batibou — double shame on the thugs.
Third crime at Batibou —- shame on law enforcement. The thugs are begging to be caught.
Does law enforcement agencies in Dominica know anything about STING OPERATIONS? Are they trained to carry out under cover operations and targeted surveillance of the troubled spots? The police can’t be everywhere but Batibou Beach is begging for attention. How much more glaring can it be?
If the police does not have a crime fighting strategy, especially as relates to Batibou Beach, the Police Commissioner needs to be fired. The Cabinet might need a shuffle too. We need a real Minister for National Security. Minister Blackmoore, please stand up!!
How Long,Not Long”…”I Won’t Be Responsible For What Happen>”..Let’s not forget those words.
The Haters are happy to play their political blame game now.All their hatred and jealous preaching on their Talk Show are coming to pass.But..is a conjunction.Hope them criminals be caught and irradicated.
We need to do a back ground check on the rental agent who works for Road Runner Rental papa! toooo often
I am in full support of what the police officer has done . gone are the days where criminals actually paid the full weight of thier crime . Justice is sevred.
Y cant the police set up a sting operation where they have some people posing as vulnerable tourists while the police take up positions all round the area to intercept these damn animals. All u righteous people who talk bout lack of jobs and youth having nothing to do “Piece” me off.
I can’t say why them Bastards are so wicked. But I know why they are so brazen. They know that the Police and the court system has become a joke. And that the majority of people love to chat and gossip, but when it comes to crime everybody hush and sweep it under the rug. Well all you so-called Christians, the Bible say’s EXPOSE THEM! And good job to the police who shot in the face, in the middle of a robbery is not a place for cowards. But it appears they just happen to be in the area? Can they please be a little more proactive? Send them to Jamaica for training those guys don’t play!
DA you need to take responsibility and start up a community watch. Has anyone thought of looking at the security guys who these uniforms are issued to? Where have these uniforms come from? Why are you been singled out for these crimes and where is the motivation coming from? I have been away from DA for over 35 years and have been giving thought of coming home because of the tranquility but I may as well stay here in big cit and sirenes. Govt do something before it becomes too late to police up.
SHOOT THEM DOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forgot they rape a young tourist french girl their and also robbed the family? And what about the german people they beat up with slabs of concrete…
From now on, the police have the OK to do what they have to do to keep the peace, in our beloved Dominica!
Shoot them in their face, even want to have flap jackets. (Bullet proof vest)
correction:’flak jacket’.
ohh thanks guys, always use to call em flap jackets.
“Flak” jacket not “Flap”
the 150ec wasnt enuff so they had to go at the bank
they better sew the other one face properly so they can identify him ehh DAMMMM VOLEEEEEEEEHHHHHHH
Lol! My first laugh for the morning. They do right burst his face. Now sew that up and start talking!
150 ec some phones and some cds and an ice cream hat – they had the bank robbery planned all along. the pittance they got from the tourists was just a snack along the way. jokers, batty man dem from batibout beach! rotten portsmouth morass youth wanna be gangsta. batty boom! shoot them in the face, serves them right.
This situation is not funny at all. As we speak, there are people traveling to trade shows to promote Dominica both to the cruise ship industry and to the stay over visitor. There are local and foreign business people who have invested in tourism and who spend to promote the island and now the crime situation is dealing the industry sever blows. With a crippled agricultural base, tourism is what people are looking to, so my question is, what will it take for this administration to take the increased crime situation more seriously?
I couldn’t agree with you more. I think the government and police could be doing alot more. Why can’t they set up sting operations at that beach that seems to targeted? Why can’t they start random checking of vehicles for guns and ammunitions? Why isn’t the AG engaging himself in amending the law to make the offence a non bailable offence and making the penalty on conviction more severe? If they need ideas on how to tackle this growing problem, they ought to ask!
I agree, a 20 year old with a bit of sense can travel the world and beg for money in exchange for UN-votes or link up with rogue governments for exchange of a little money. Guiding a country out of a serious crisis, however, takes a different kind of a man. Where are now Skerit? Stand in front of your people and tell them what you will do to get out of this mess! If you can not do that and you have no answers, at least be man enough to tell your people it is time for you to go and hand over the reigns to someone more capable!!!
right let me see who will defend those criminals about “innocent until proven guilty” these men are heavily armed and dangerous and should be treated as criminals. the man hunt is on-shoot to kill, teach those bastards a lesson.
WRONG IS WRONG,
@Delores, let me shake your hand right now. Tired of folks making excuses for the people who choose to live outside the law. They try that in the US and police will cart off body bag, because police shoot first ask questions later. If they just think you MIGHT have a gun, meme si you vweh ou non, they gunning. DA police need to up the ante right now for the security of the nation..
There needs to be a sign posted at the entrance of Batibou warning everyone to stay OFF of this beach, at least until these waste of space human beings are all caught. Karma is coming little boys… I hope it is speedy for the last of you, it would appear your buddy with the gunshot to the face is the start. It only takes a hand full to ruin it for everyone and I do not even want to think about what would happen if the tourists stop coming, although that is all I can think about. They are not just hurting the tourists, they are hurting each and every one of us here in Dominica. Nice work yesterday police, one down and only four to go! TAKE THEM DOWN!
that robbery is connected,now i want the police to shoot them dead.don’t waste the courts time,let the funeral home make some money
not just that but it is the action of some hungry drud men who have run out of cash so they gathereing what they can get to get a shipment of drugs. so the police better target the man from calibishi and them areas there. lawyer fees have taken all their cash plus some of them owing the country so they are desperate. you know what next convictions of any drug men is best the magistrate send them to jail instead of a fine to pay money.
Well duh! Took a while to find out is some nonsense that went down first that they got a rental and left it with no trace of the robbers themselves! I hope the one they caught is recovering well so he can answer some questions. Also, I hope the Canadians are doing okay and are not too traumatized. I feel for my country, I have two children and I pray everyday that God watches over them as they get older because God forbid that they get hurt or involved in this type of lawlessness that’s happening in the country. Sigh…it’s real sad!
Oh Dominicans, how you have fallen.
Dominicans have not fallen,just a few idiot criminals who learn their trade overseas and want to endanger the country and its economy.Shame on them man.
They are the same culprits that robbing in Marigot.
Praise the Lord God don’t sleep they really believe they would get away lock them up and throw away the key ……………..they just spoiling Dominica’s name we fed up
Ho start spoiling ?
!!!
Psychic healers on Q ????
FED UP ??
Solution ??
tape up there mouth-ful
What is the country coming too??? This stream of robberies against visitors is putting our little Island in a bad light. Who will want to come to a place where there is so much violence against foreigners?
weh weh, so u mean measures have not been put in place to have 24-hr police patrol in that particular area, and also to investigate tht rental company?
I live in another country and its bad that these things are happening to foreigners as well as locals over and over again…return 2 righteousness Dominicans. awa man
Batibou robbery again?!!
In camouflage again??!!
Gosh! do we need another one again to take some sort of action? whether it be giving a warning or sthing??
WELL SAH I TELL U DEY WAS ON A MISSION TO COLLECT, PUAHHH GAD BUT WHERE DEY COME OUT NOR, DEM KINDA NAYGA DEY, GO BACK WHICHAY PART U COME FROM, SHOX MAN!
well I guess is the same gang two robbery in one day,well DA coming fast
I suspect they may have to put a ban on those secluded spots in dca at a certain time… or at least warn tourists and others… it wouldn’t hurt to warn them.
i just know is the same people! time to hold them man!
WHAT IS THIS….A JOKE NOW….THESE TOURIST NEED TO GET GUNS TOO….DAMMIT…THOSE HOLIGANS GETTING ON MY FLIPPING NERVES….LAZY BASTARDS!!! SHOOT THEM IN THEIR DAMN HEAD,OR AIM FOR THEIR SPINAL CORD…CRIPPLE THESE ANIMALS!!! JUST COMMITTING CRIME AGAINST OUR COUNTRY, ATTACKING OUR WAY OF LIVING!!!! ONE HEAD WILL GO DOWN EH…!!!
so another robbery at the same batibou beach then.. AWA… same camouflage clothing..jeez! are we or not looking closely at that spot as one where ppl/visitors should take extreme caution or sthin. Why has this happened again??!!
this is worrying!
Hell whats going on???
Y’all serious? By d time d new tourism season comes around we won’t hve any tourist on island. Dat crap need to stop! Magway sa