The Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) has thrown its full support behind the recent statement of outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions, Gene Pestaina, relating to the need for night-time police patrols in the Roseau area.
In a recent radio interview, Pestaina said that he wanted to see more police officers on the beat in Roseau, especially after dark. He also indicated that he would be discussing the matter with the police before he demits office in July.
In a release on Tuesday, the DHTA said many of its members have expressed concerns about security in the capital after dark.
“Member hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses in the Roseau area have been concerned about the lack of security which their staff and clients experience during the evening and night hours in the island’s capital. The DHTA along with other private sector associations notably the DAIC, have been grappling with this issue for several years,” the release said.
The DHTA said it has held discussions with Government authorities in the past addressing the effects of and national response to crime against visitors. “With the support of the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the Ministry of Tourism and other partners, this has led to the establishment of a Crime Task Force to assist in managing national response to incidents,” the organization said.
It said that some hotels have extended their security watch to the streets because they realized that while response is important, prevention is the best approach.
“While this has helped, there remain obvious security gaps outside of the immediate sight of these hotel security officers,” the release further stated. “The DHTA has noted its continuing concerns with regard to crime, to the Prime Minister, in preparation for a meeting to discuss challenges facing the sector.”
The association said increased police patrols in the Roseau area, and in areas where big entertainment activities are held is one of the approaches which it advocates.
“The DHTA looks forward to continued collaboration with the government to urgently address crime and other matters of national importance,” the release said.
DHTA said nothing when Behanzin was removed from the Bench, we have suffered shooting, killings, robberies, theft, violence beyond control, making business unsafe for tourist, so police will not and cannot do anything! Playing politics as usual.
Police presence on the streets is badly needed. I remembered in the days of before when the officers would be in groups of two walking the Queen Mary street. The officers of today refuse to go on patrol if they are not given a vehicle. The commissioner need to get the officers back on foot patrol.
two forms a pair; three a trio; for more than that it is ok to say “group”.
I have NEVER, EVER in my whole life ever seen a police patrol on foot in uniform in Portsmouth after six o’clock in the evening. And i have lived in Portsmouth for over half a century!
Tourism capital of Dominica my foot!
But even Jene himself have asked for bail for criminals that the police have arrested!! so encouragement are you giving to the Policemen??
How would u feel if a guy u arrested lastnite is out on the street the next day ??
All dem Cpls behind those desks give them patrol cars.
It`S a no brainer, the presence of police patrols are needed ever where be it Roseau, or else where,on the Island. The hot button issue is always the question of more man power, and money, to hire more police officers. Long before I joined the police Force, the presence of effective{I reapeat effective presence of police parols was a thing of not only beauty, but served as a detterant to prevent crimes and increases the public trust in the police, patroling all over. In our days at the criminal investigation Department,our manner of patrols was mainly foot patrols covering areas as far away as Pointe Michael all the way to upper canefield, the main thing to consider we were fit and had a better esprit de corps amongst our selves as officers. The present Commissioner Mr Carbon can attest to that fact, also Mr Rayburn Blackmoore, and others we were united and felt proud of what we did thats goes a long way in sending a message to the bad guys. But today we seems to have lost all those great qualities and love for the profession, our police officers have become too politically motivated, aided by the desire for promotion and carrying news on each other hense it creates lack of trust in each, another factor By my observation, our present day collegues are too laid back and that scense of entitlement in the police force is killing our force, and nothing will change if those glaring situation are not arrested with a view to making our police force what it can become again. I am aware that the truth hurts but we cannot bury our heads in the sand and not tackle those things in our police force and expect change. I rest my case, let the truth carry us forward,Once a cop always a cop! We need to be proactive instead of reactive. Who the cap fit let them wear it. Long live the Common Wealth of Dominica police Force.
The Authorities need to send a clear message to criminals that crime against tourist is punishable with a mandatory miminum sentense of ten years.
And I support more police on the street of Roseau. give them fat cops work to do.
Especially after what the guys did in St Lucia a couple of days ago with the tourist off the cruise ship in the botanical gardens. I cannot believe anybody could be so selfish to do that – it affects the whole of the Caribbean’s tourism industry and our economy. What is up with these people! Those police don’t need to be soft on criminals.