Tonge denounces robbery and injury of visitor

Tonge said crime against any person must not be tolerated. File photo

Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal, Robert Tonge, has condemned what he said is any form of crime and violence against visitors to Dominica.

His comments came in light of a robbery on a visitor on Saturday.

During the robbery, the visitor, who was in Dominica for a week, was injured and had to be treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital. He left Dominica the same day.

“Crime, Robbery and or assault against any person must not be tolerated,” Tonge said in a statement on Monday morning. “We all feel the pain when such incidents happen to one of our family members. As the Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal I want us to denounce any form of crime and violence against our visitors. One incident erases years of hard work.”

He spoke of the visitor’s bloodied on social media and the impact it will have on Dominica’s tourism product.

“All Dominicans, and especially people of Roseau Central, have to continue to look out for each other and our visitors,” Tonge stated. “Let’s not make anyone tarnish the good name of Dominica and Roseau. Tourism contributes significantly to our economy and has many of our brothers and sisters gainfully employed. ”

He said he was told that the police have a lead in the incident and will bring it to a close soonest.

“I ask as all to protect our economy by stopping and reporting any form of crime,” the Tourism Minister said.

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47 Comments

  1. kash
    February 7, 2017

    Don’t bring shame to our Country , Dominica is the best relax country and free in the Caribbean Please help get it better crime free from foreigners thanks

  2. jackko
    January 25, 2017

    The unemployment problem in Dominica is a two fold thing, a double whammy, there are fields where the government can provide employment as they run the country. But the Private sector should also play a part by investing the monies they earn into other forms of businesses.
    Then the Government should give businesses tax breaks for new business opened with a certain number of minimum employees. This would help employment and the economy.
    Look at Astaphan’s & company, at one time these people Employed more people than the Government of the day.
    School children would look to get a job at that company during school break, I know because I had summer jobs there for may years. The businesses can help the unemployment problem expand then go on the Government for tax breaks when you do this the monies will circulate people will have things to do and money to spend, crime will be less. Don’t you think so? Respond…

  3. Parle_La_Verite
    January 25, 2017

    When it start affecting the politicians they will want to act. The people hop, jump and Skip for LABOR PWDER, yet there is no returns on the HUMAN CAPTAL from the government….what is the plan?

  4. Parle_La_Verite
    January 25, 2017

    Crime we see is a manifestation of The culture from the Government,

  5. Annon
    January 24, 2017

    WHERE are all the BIKES??

  6. The Truth Be Told (Original)
    January 24, 2017

    . . . And when they are arrested and charged, keep them incarcerated. Give them enough prison sentences to keep them there for a long time with hard labor. Do not be lax in the sentence.
    . . . And you attorneys who defend them and say they are a first-time offender and they did not waste the Court’s time in pleading guilty, you are the ones who should be blamed, getting them released on bail and reduced sentences. Not the PM!
    All of you who blame the PM, STOP IT! Do criminals listen to the police or anyone in authority and change their evil ways?
    You are wrongfully blaming him for the criminals.

    • kash
      February 7, 2017

      iI back you 1000% once a crime has been done against a visitor/tourist in Dominica they should get long duration of prison time with had labour, death of a tourist or visitor should be life most likely death sentence like some asian countries.

  7. January 23, 2017

    Government has been battling with the crimes against tourism for some years now by those on the streets. Government now has said to have solved the problem by having those vagrants at the Psychiatric unit during the day. So how come that robbery happened? I read a very well put together document by Mr.Bonti Liverpool on how to solve the vagrancy problem. Does Government know of it?

  8. Tony
    January 23, 2017

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Well we are all sadden whenever anyone is victimized but the question is what plans our Police Commissioner going to develope to curtail this criminal behavior. Why can’t we invest in a network of security cameras which will help in preventing such crimes. We can used cameras with infra Red and facial recognition technology which will help us identify the criminals because it’s a very few criminals that’s perpetrating such crimes.

    • anonymous2
      January 24, 2017

      They will do nothing.

  9. Lang Mama
    January 23, 2017

    The culture in our government of blaming everyone else is the reason why we are in this situation. Appologists will say that crime happen everywhere. While that is true I have never heard any other government say that the rising level of crime is because of development. I have never seen any other government attack a social scientists who forewarned the government of the situation.Years ago we had the opportunity to forearm instead the government chose deception instead of precaution and humility.
    Crime happenscene everywhere well our struggling Tourism sector is not like it is everywhere

  10. Anthony P. Ismael
    January 23, 2017

    Start with community policing. Erect 24 hour CCTV in Roseau that’s connected to the central station. Improve response time. Kick the gangs out of Roseau who own territory.

  11. Woman Talk.
    January 23, 2017

    Dominicans are high on Skerritt money , giving it out like a fisher man sharing the profits from the catch of the day. This is very disgusting and unprofessional if at all DLP knows what it means to be accountable . Sad state of affairs. So while I condemn the attack on this tourist and call on the police to do more by increasing foot patrol , politicians should play their part by creating more jobs for our youth.
    Dominica is not producing enough to sustain its population.

    • The Truth Be Told (Original)
      January 24, 2017

      It is an era in Dominica that the government is totally blamed for unemployment.
      Unemployment is not always the government’s fault. Stop putting it consistently on the PM’s shoulder.
      Tell the youths to study, remain in school so that when they graduate they could obtain a good paying job.
      When you comment on unemployment, go to all the areas of Dominica and speak to the youths to find out if they completed school. Do this first before placing the blame of unemployment on the PM.

  12. Pass I passing
    January 23, 2017

    This is sad :cry: I am in tears for Dominica.

  13. Continue:

    where were you when my niece was beaten to death; how come you have not spoken out about that, are they not human too! The man who beat my niece to death, left the island and went to St. Lucia to hide, did you or your government, Skerrit, and Carbon do anything to get him extradited back to Dominica to stand trail, that occurred less than two years ago.

    The crime the murder of both my niece, and nephew was never investigated, shut up guy people like you are bloody hypocrite, visitors to Dominica get robbed in their country of their birth also. Maybe if there was jobs and employment in the country, the people who commits crime would be busy working honestly, they would not think of rubbing visitors for their survival.

    “A hungry man is an angry man!”

  14. Sad
    January 23, 2017
  15. January 23, 2017

    I too would like to denounce the attack against visitors to our shores; i have a solution for you Mr Tourism Minister all the number of young persons whom you have employed under the NEP send them to Morne Bruce where the Police can train them ; swear them in as Special Constables give them a special uniform to wear (not camouflage) which would clearly identify them; and during the tourist season have them patrol the different tourist sites around Roseau and environs. Problem solved!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • megso
      January 23, 2017

      That is too much of a good idea to happen !!

    • Shameless
      January 23, 2017

      Yes Old Daddy that is a perfect suggestion for some kind of resolution. Matter of fact, they need to make all retired and former officers in good standing special constables so they can look out more closely for the criminals. After all, this is getting out of control…….indications of a failed state? Hmmmmmmmm :twisted:

      Always Assertive! :twisted:

    • Kompromat
      January 23, 2017

      And PAY THEM TOO…?
      Well said!!

  16. committed
    January 23, 2017

    Tonge,you and all the jokers running this country are like a cancer to Dominica. Please,free this country of the imeasurable pain and hardship you guys are causing.

    • Da4real
      January 23, 2017

      Whats wrong with you IDIOT? ARE YOU A COMMITTED IDIOT? DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE POLITICAL?

    • fingers
      January 23, 2017

      You fool…let someone beat up and rob your mom or sister and let me hear you sing that foolish song…..everything is not politics you fool…

      • Lang Mama
        January 23, 2017

        If someone bit up a family member offcourse we all will want to get the head of the perpetrator but it has long been established crime cannot be curtailed by locking up and punishing criminals. If everytime you lockup a criminal two others comes of the mill what difference does it make.
        Our problem in Dominica is that we try to solve problems by pretending that they don’t exist especially when our partisan glasses are on.
        When crime and lawlessness comes from the top what do we expect at the bottom.
        No apologies. Keep wearing the partisan glasses and wait for a solution!!!

    • DA TO THE BONE
      January 24, 2017

      I would like to know what politics have to do with some one committing a crime on a visitor. the person or persons who committed this crime needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If anyone knows or have information needs to report the crime. Please note that the victim will be spreading the word of how Dominica is a bad place to visit. For example I met someone from America who went to Antigua to vacation and she was mugged while in Antigua she told me that she will NEVER return to Antigua again and am sure that am not the only person she has mentioned it to. FYI word by mouth is a powerful tool.

  17. Pit toilet cabinet
    January 23, 2017

    Mr. Tongue STOP treating this as if it is something new. Man this sort of thing has been going on in Dominica for years now, especially since this corrupt labor part of Skerrit became the government. Who was in power and who was minister of tourism when the Australian rubbed during a test match in Dominica? Was anyone arrested and charged? Was the minister of National Security or the Police Commissioner fired or held responsible? Was anyone fired? Give this one today and everything will be forgotten and the corruption will continue as everything else in Dominica will continue to fall apart. Until we change this corrupt government , the bad news will continue

    • fingers
      January 23, 2017

      You fool…let someone beat up and rob your mom or sister and let me hear you sing that foolish song…..everything is not politics you fool…

    • Dominica Tourists - never again!
      January 23, 2017

      Yes, a few years ago, I visited Dominica with 2 of my wife women friends. They were shouted at in the streets of Roseau at least once for no good reason, other than to frighten them. Twice we were harassed on a beach near Portsmouth when a man came up and urinated in the sea where we were swimming. Another spat in it.

      We were badgered for money wherever we went and driving was a nightmare of sheer rudeness from other drivers.

      We will never be back and consider Dominica, unlike our good experience in nearby St. Lucia, to be inhabited by a bunch of savages and ill-mannered degenerates mostly.

      • Me
        January 23, 2017

        But you still read the news on a daily basis. What nonsense is that!

  18. Cyril Volney
    January 23, 2017

    Attacking a visitor is ECONOMIC TERRORISM!

    • That’s hogwash!

      You are playing into Tongue trap, of hypocrisy!

      There was a time when we could count the number of criminals in the country on one hand; those were the days when there was enough for all even in the colonial days people did not have to rob and steal for their survival. These days there are lots on hungry, depraved people in Dominica.

      The youths wish for everything, which Tongue and his colleagues have, the million dollars house, expensive motor vehicles and a lavish life style they live.

      That can only be accomplished by hard work and not by corrupted means. The government ministers in a matter of months after they get involved in government, overnight get rich, by all sorts of corrupted means; the hungry youths observes, and know by what means they come by their wealth, and simple turn to crime hoping to be as those who sets the example of criminal activities.

      If Tongue is worried about visitors there is a way to prevent it: Find work, paying jobs for…

      • Finally:

        Find work, paying jobs for all; robbery eliminated!

        The real economic terrorism is not against the tourist, it’s against the Dominica born, who live and die never holding a job in the country, never ever got employed, never, ever got a pay cheque. That is the real economic terrorism, perpetrated on the people of Dominica by Tongue, Skerrit, and all the rest involved!

    • Me
      January 23, 2017

      More like economic suicide Cyril.

  19. street side
    January 23, 2017

    lack of governance in dominica..the main source is selling passport like a fish market….

    the rest of dominica could go to hell who cares…..dominicans will always feel the pinch
    they actually love hard times and surely embrace lies, deception and mediocrity

    that’s why they are known as the poorest and slowest economy around…very dunce minded society in that place called dominica…

  20. Mother
    January 23, 2017

    Our image is down the drain, the city is dirty and stinks and is full of undesirable characters.
    A small place like ours like that. Don’t tell us we have to do the police work. Why do we have a police force and pay them if the authorities can not control this better? When these things happen we are not supposed to criticize but keep quiet and pretend everything is o.k.?
    Believe me I will not go to town if a I can help it. I feel so uneasy and people harassing us to much, even locals. Not all of us can make our money selling passports you know. Have the drug dealers taken over and are protected and the police are afraid to intervene? in the absence of any preventative action we should be forgiven for thinking so.

    • Righteous
      January 23, 2017

      @Mother we all have a social repsonsibility to protect the country. You see, we are quick to cast blame on others when we need to look in the mirrow and take a stand. I will continue to say it, “we have to be our brothers keeper.” We can’t countinue to hate each other so much that we can’t see the good in coming together for a better community, society and by extension a better Dominica. We can’t continue being the ones saying, “he was a nice, nice boy,” when damn well we know different but we tollerate it becuase we reap the benifits. We have the attitude “that since it is not directly affecting me, I will stay in my corner and not say anyting.” I say, “it is time for change.” Yes, let’s change “Me” and start looking in terms of “US.” Indeed we are all Dominica, and when Dominica suffer, we all suffer! Let us be our brother’s keeper, and denounce crimes against anyone. Let us show more love and respect for each other and try to right our wrongs by turning those…

    • The Truth Be Told (Original)
      January 24, 2017

      Talk to the Mayor of Roseau. She is the one who should be responsible for the Town or City as you call it. This is her obligation to ensure the streets are cleaned.
      The same in Toronto. The Canadian PM is not responsible for the cleanliness of the streets; also not the Premier of Ontario. It is the Mayor of Toronto and his administration – the Municipality of the City of Toronto.
      Contact your Mayor, her office and complain to her. Her responsibility is the Municipality of the Town of Roseau or the City of Roseau. Stop blaming the PM. He cannot do everything and is not responsible for everything as the streets of Roseau.

  21. Me
    January 23, 2017

    I have to say, I’ve spent a lot of time in Dominica. The Dominicans are very protective of visitors in general. I admire them for that. They will always check if I’m ok, remove people from my area if they are harassing me and they will remove anybody from leaning on my car. Don’t get the wrong impression if you’re reading this from outside. I have spent a lot of time here and of course, these things happen everywhere but it’s not everywhere that a local will give the same care, attention and protection. Thank you to Dominican people for this.

  22. Bronx,NY
    January 23, 2017

    Poor Governance…..Dominica pretty much doesn’t know what they want…

    Dominicans are not serious minded People, if they cared they would demand results..

    what are foolish people, they will soon perish in their ignorance…

    • Driver
      January 23, 2017

      Come again. I don’t get the message. You live in New York?

    • The Truth Be Told (Original)
      January 24, 2017

      You are blaming the D/can government for the criminals?
      You reside in New York? Well, NY has more than its share of criminals. I hear some things about NY, also through the local Media, if it is of significance. Who do you blame, the US President?
      I have visited NY on several occasions; have relatives and friends, also in the Bronx, Queens and elsewhere in the US. I have also been there for Labor Day Carnival, more than once. Not anymore!
      These days I have no interest to visit NY, more so due to the crimes. I often wonder how anyone, law-abiding people could reside in NY and in the US for that matter and also ride the subway train, be it for work. I guess they got accustomed to it. Me? I was always scared of NY and still am.

  23. Tj
    January 23, 2017

    Robberies will continue all over the world. However, as you have ministers like Mr. To get who would not call out the appropriated authorities to help combat the wave of crime. It will not be abated. Let our police officers leave the domino table and walk the streets and villages.

    By the where else in the Caribbean that the Domino table is more irritant that the clients

    • Shameless
      January 23, 2017

      STOP blaming the cops for these robberies. The few that care can only do so much. Too many politicians in the force and the Chief does not have control. Politicians who have no idea what policing is about are the ones running the force. Meantime, the other half of the force is providing security to the Poopoo Cabal because of the level of frustration in the land. Sadly, Robbie can say what he wants but really is its only going to get worse. We are living in a failed state….dangerous times.

      I wish a speedy recovery to the affected visitors and sincerely hope they will remember the good we have to offer rather than this single unpleasant experience.

      Always Assertive! :twisted:

  24. Dominican
    January 23, 2017

    You have the P.M. surrounded by armed policemen, you have the special ,police unit out every time people ligitemately try to express themselves, yet we have virtual no-go areas in Roseau with street gangs virtually owning a territory. Don’t tell me that the police do not know, who these people are in a small country like ours. Time and time again we talk and talk and talk. We have a limited season for cruise visitors but if this continues we will see ship arrivals go down even further. our police is not pro-active in this area. Clean up the town and make it safe. Get rid of these dangerous parasites. Prevention is better than cure.

    • The Darkness
      January 23, 2017

      Hehehehehe… Thanks for that. It needs to be done.

      Again, the police themselves are gangsters. Chasing down weed instead of pursuing justice.

      Ask them the meaning of Justice and see the answer you receive.

  25. Upste
    January 23, 2017

    You all not ready yet.

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