Minister for Tourism and Legal Affairs, Ian Douglas, has indicated that steady progress is being made to reduce the number of vagrants in the country’s capital by the beginning of the next Cruise Season.
Speaking to Dominica News Online on Wednesday, the Minister said “there is a committee that has been formed from all of the persons connected to that issue; that is the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism, the National security through the Police and also the Welfare Division.”
Douglas noted that a number of meetings have been held in that regard and possible solutions have been discussed and considered.
“I can tell you for certain that something will be done about the vagrants in Roseau before the commencement of the new cruise season,” he promised.
Vagrants, as a nuisance to tourist who come to Dominica, have been given as a reason for the island receiving a low rating by visitors, according to reports.
In September Chief Executive Officer of the Discover Dominica Authority Collin Piper stated that on Sundays and holidays several students from the State College will serve as city guides.
During that same month speaking on Kairi FM’s “Talking Tourism” Douglas stated that he was confident that the plans to address the vagrancy issue would be implemented by October 1st.
These poor people are not to blame for the state of rosseau , the mayor and ian should have implemented something by now ,basic improvements clean streets rubbish collection, police patrols ,price regulation with regard to taxis . People just have to start, doing there jobs and take responsibility.It is so very easy to blame others for your shortcomings.
Invest in soup kitchens and basic labor for vagrants that are outside the City of Roseau or Portsmouth. luring them to a controlled area to be feed, treated and put to work. Also make soliciting and begging a ticketed matter and all the parrow roaming the streets half naked and high should be detained and treated until they are clean. Its everybody’s problem and yes it affects the tourism industry but also the safety and peace of mind of all Dominicans.
Hon. Min. of Tourism, are you daydreaming? The first cruise ship of the season is due in less than two weeks but to my eyes the tourists will see a bayfront that is exactly like it was before, including our so called paros. The chipped concrete of the post office is still in danger of falling on our heads an its clock still shows three different times in permanent perpetuity – giving birth to the jole that in Dominica we don’t know what time it is! The few patches of replacement asphalt outside the terminal, in a different shade give an impression of underdevelopment.The town still stinks to high heaven and garbage still abounds, a beautiful old tree in the old market has been cut down without regard and I hear now that the plan is to chop the remainder, no doubt for the sake of progress.The ruins are still ruins, instead of the long promised vendors’ arcade. Do I need to go on? If I appear depressed it is because I damn well am! We keep on talking, while potential visitors are continuing to give us a wide berth. That is the reality but all I hear from those who should know better is ” if you don’t have anythjing good to say, shut up” but that is one thing I will never due, shut up, for if we do not recognise a problem and remain in denial we have no hope of ever starting to improve but instead will continue to blame everybody else but ourselves, as we should.
Vagrants roaming the streets also affect Dominicans. Ask the people who had their vehicles vandalized by vagrants in Roseau.
True say, Anthony! I was appalled last week when I was accosted by no less than 6 – yes, SIX! – vagrants plying me for money on the short walk from the front of KFC to the doorway of Save-a-Lot. It was not only shocking and annoying to say the least – it spoke volumes about the state of our country. I cannot pretend to have the answers, nor am I simply criticizing idly, but this is an issue that we need to continue seeking to address with much haste.
Right now the theives and criminals in my opinion is more of a problem than the vagrants. Safety comes first. The vagrants are not hurting anyone. They are just the less fortunate. Dominica needs to develope programs where the vagrants can become contributing citizens. Programs like “adopt a vagrant”. Businesses can utilize they people the clean the store fronts, empty garbage etc. The government can have them sweep the streets, cut grass etc. The major problem like a say now is the “criminals”, that’s who they need to focus on. Locals as well as visitors should feel safe in Dominica. Stay focused!
I totally agree with you, let them weep the nasty Roseau, cut the grass let their relatives be responsible for them, most of them have families who can help, we need to keep our city safe and clean
sweep I mean
you people better know what you guys are about;
there seems to be a “TALK RACE,”going on in Dominica,and every body, just turn turn turning around almost ready to fall down.ba zu dee.
Do work , allu complaining , refuse to do work , allu still complaining.Sometimes i wish the PM would just drag things especially for the ungrateful.
whats your point?
The government has no ideas and knowledge as to how to address this important situation of our own Dominicans. They set up committee and consulted people to attend only to be told what they want to do is during the tourist season with the first ship coming on 25th is that at 9AM you pick up physically the vagrants, dump them somewhere and 4pm when the ship is gone dump them back on the streets in Roseau.
This government is heartless, lacks ideas and do not know how to do things properly.
Dominicans this government should be discarded, please kick them out they are no good.
Well, why don’t you advise “the government” on the way forward?
That’s why you wanted to be president? When you were discarded in the dumps. the container actually got crushed. You should pay for it and noy the state. Ask C-Wine.
You assume this is their plan. How correct are you? Ask questions and do not accuse.
But as if is a while now Ian talking about solving that vagrant problem eh
By now mister should be telling us who is on the committee and what are some of their plans
One of the problem in Dominica is, family members are not taking their responsibilities in caring for their families when they are unable to do it themselves. They are waiting on government to do it for them.
In Dominica, some of us leave our responsibilities for the government and then blame them after, when we do not get the satisfaction we want.
Each of us let us help our families that need help. Don’t look for just the ones that can leave a well with our names on it.
Guidance!
In Dominica we have the “Yes We Care” programme. A govt. initiative, exactly for that reason. Should that not apply to vagrants also?
It is not only vagrants that are problems, the thieves and robbers that pull chains of people necks as well as hand bags.
Please sir we need to address the issues in the Island. Last year whislt attending the Creole in the Park my friends from canada and DA were the victims of a robbery they were robbed of their chains by some desperados in Virgin Lane it was heart breaking because of the sentimental value and that cannot be replaced.
But the jewellers that buy the gold are bigger thieves than the actual thief, how would they like it if someone broke into their shop and cleaned it out.
The police are not very helpful, they are a bunch of jokers we need to get real to save our country
Dominica is a small country which makes the vagrants conspicuous. They are a nuisance to all visitors including resident nationals. They really should be kept away from the town.
Put them in a home, keep them occupied and fruitful with also learning certain projects which could be sold.
Whatever the plan to eliminate them from the town and other tourist areas, please make it permanent.
Shut up your jaws.
Are you one of them and with such relatives? You do not want to hear/read the truth? Too bad for you! Wake up!
DNO should prohibit you from disrespecting and insulting those who comment on this Website. You are crude and rude. Do you not know how to communicate amicably? I feel sorry for you.
You should volunteer on the Committee, Justice an Truth. You’ve got practical solutions. They don’t!
Thank you! God bless you for your positive response and insight!
If only I resided in Dominica. I do hope the government and those who are involved, at least take note of my practical solutions and of others who comment and provide their sensible comments.
They could be helped and to be industrious. These people have been ignored for too long. It is amazing how talented they could be, if only they are given the opportunity. As long as they have hands, feet and sense, they could be useful.
You may have seen on TV how some people with less faculties than we have became successful in many respects. Some sing; are actors and actresses; play a musical instrument, the latter with no hands but feet. Some knit, could sew and perform other useful activities. You know, they could put some of us to shame.
What they are capable of are endless. They are in need of help.
Most importantly, “give them Jesus”. They would surprise us with what they could be capable of doing. They would prove to be also happy people.
Actually, in the eyes of God, no one is useless. Their talents should be cultivated.
Where was Ian Doug last? Has he just arrived?I thought he went to Promise Veille Or Cotton Hill?
Ian everytime we have a ship send the task force bus to get all of them that at save-a lot, witchurch and so on and lock them in the cell for the day then release them at night that way tourist would not encounter them and those that go and hide when you catch give them three lashes with the catoline at the old market square. in a short time you will see how fast the problem solve or just give those Roseau boys permission to mal tweate them for you then they will go and chec their sin
Thank goodness, even tho its under “for tourism sake” am still happy cuz I fed up with those beggers I need the break.
If wishes were horses, vagrants and conquistadors would ride. Reducing “the number of vagrants in the country’s capital by the start of the next cruise ship season” is tantamount to putting a band aid on a weeping boe-boe. It would be very interesting to know exactly how the Honourable Minister and “the committee that has formed” are going to reduce the number of vagrants.
If someone said: “steady progress is being made to reduce the number of vagrants, that seems to indicate that something more specific than talking has been accomplished.”
Hence, Ian should have told the nation what he has done with the vagrants of the country, we must be told what actions or measures he has taken to rid the country of vagrancy. You see a vagrant is someone who has no established residence, and wanders idly from one place to another place without lawful, or visible means of support.
A prostitute, or drunkards whose conduct constitutes statutory vagrancy falls into that category of a rover, or wanderer. I suspect it takes more than simply talking to resolve any type of vagrancy problem on the island, besides perhaps sending a dump truck to collect some who might be mentality ill as refuge like trash, and dump them off at the edge of some village where the tourists does not visit.
Either that, or Ian Douglas, has made them all become invisible:
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahah!
In the first place according to the definition of vagrant, Douglas would first have to establish a place of residence for everyone he removes from the street, secondly he would have to provide a means of support, by finding employment for the vagrants, in order to eliminate the vagrants presence from the streets.
Unless this talking head who is supposed to be the great minister of tourism tell me, and the rest of the nation if he has provided logging, and employment for those unfortunates, I am prepared to ask him to please kindly shut up; shut his mouth because he knows he is lying through his teeth.
We talk a lot in Dominica, however, when it comes time for action we disappear like phantoms in the night!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Francisco, you are right. The minister should be able to tell the nation what plan is in place.
SMH
Some people want to know everything and prior to them being solved and decided upon.
Anyone who thinks that the US government informs the public of every plan should be sadly mistaken. They are living in a fool’s paradise and living a life of total ignorance. Do not try to deceive others. Some are not so deceived.
Get this into your heads. The government does not have to keep you informed of entire plans and not while it is being discussed. This is why I have stated, “Patience!” The sensibly should comprehend that.
Patience! In time he will. However, really, does the minister or the government for that matter have to inform nationals of every plan they contemplate and what steps they have taken to solve this vagrancy problem?
Francisco, do the US government and mayors divulge to Americans of everything they do and every project they plan on implementing?
shut up you jaws.
Yes…in the US it’s the freedom of information law
They don’t. But you will be aware when issues are addressed. How will that come to pass? There will either be a decrease in the said problem or an eradication of the said problem.
Yes, they do, and if the information is not made public on television, or a townhouse type meeting; people do have telephone numbers, of their councilmen and woman where they can be called to get specific information on any concern we have!
In America, it all boils down to public information, it matters not what it is!
If there was plenty police i.e. activity on the block I live on last night, and heard about it this morning, and my neighborhood is unable to tell me what brought the police into the neighborhood, I can go to certain police source and get the information as to the activities on the block block the night before.
Nothing is hidden from the people of this country, indeed some governmental information are classified, but even at that after a few years such information are rendered declassified, in any event nothing in America is hidden from the people, especially where it pertains to politics.
If you bought a car, or a house today, and I ask you how much you paid for your house or car, and you lie to me about the cost, all I have to do is go to the public hall of records and run your name and address, and as long as what you have bought is legitimate, it will be recorded there or somewhere else, and I will find out what I want to know about you.
When people ask politicians questions in America, they are not told, to mind their business, politicians are obligated, and compelled to answer to the people, and they had better tell the truth when they answer.
The public information works here, it is not like in Dominica, where everybody in government has a secret, which is no secret at all, and cover-up is not that easy here, for there are severe penalties for such behavior!
Hahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Why is the “vagrant problem” being treated as a “tourism problem”? This is a social and community problem. Why isn’t the statement regarding the problem being made by the Minister and ministry for community development? We need to deal with the underlying issues and not just the surface for tourism purposes.
You are absolutely right . the vagrant problem is a community and social problem
Well said. You are so correct. There needs to be an overall approach to the problem.
has the land problem sloved?garson zot sot!!jean grandanse the handsome pm and funny ian will deal with you all.we in v/c know that skerrit and company has said that labour is not douglas familys own wait steal for cake and shampain stay like animals that was tired for so long and now the rope is getting lose but is afriad to run makak
I myself cannot wait. As sorry as I feel for these people I hate coming into Roseau to be panhandled all the time, especially right in front of supermarkets I have to visit for my essentials.
Vagrants r a nuisance to us citizens too. Is because dey dun walk the streets often to b begged for a dollar every corner dey turn. Rubbish setta ppl
“Vagrants, as a nuisance to tourist who come to Dominica, have been given as a reason for the island receiving a low rating by visitors, according to reports.’
We are trying to be reactive as usual. The “Vagrant Problem” is primarily a societal, public welfare and economic issue, and less of a tourism issue. Mr minister are you saying that vagrants affect Dominicans less than tourists, and it takes tourists to complain to recognize we have a growing problem? Or is it that we are marginalizing our own peoples considerations? Vagrants are not a vine that should be plucked out of the way of tourists. Vagrants are people with needs but also symptomatic of the societal ills. If this is considered to be of epidemic proportions, then the welfare department should take the lead. One has to deal with the root cause but also recognize that you can’t have short term measure on this. One has to think, education, welfare safety net, rehabilitation etc. Some of that calls for physical facilities as well. We have the cart before the horse as usual. Next the tourists will give DA low ratings for the smelling gutters, potholes and lack of side walks and what are we going to do? Lets see the big picture please and work to uplift society as a whole for the benefit of Dominicans. That should be the primary engagement and responsibility of all. Tourists come second.
I agree. It shouldn’t be just a tourism problem.
I agree.
Are3 we serious the vagrant population is increasing under LABAR? thought we were doing better than that
I really wonder what they are going to do to address the situation that they cannot do today and why not ? Is there a prison / camp under construction ? Is there some sort of home or rehab centre
?
So how the mayor doing with the stray dogs? By the way Mr. Douglas, while i appreciate the need to make a good impression for the tourists (broke as they may be) lets clean up first for oursleves and then for others. Just my 2 cents
wayyyyyy everything happening now
lol those politicians there making me lagh 
election coming 
