Hoteliers here have called for a bi-partisan approach to tackle violent crime targeting tourists visiting the island.
There has been a recent spate of brutal attacks on tourists, the latest against a French family during which a young member of the family was raped.
President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) Yvonne Armour, at a news conference called to address the problem, said the actions “of a few threaten now only the tourism sector and our economy, but also the very fabric of Dominican society”.
“Our first step is to encourage bipartisan support for a resolution to be tabled in parliament today … expressing outrage on the part of parliament and calling for urgent action by all political parties,” the DHTA president said.
Armour said with tourism bringing EC$143 million dollars into the country’s coffers, Dominica could not afford to have that industry disrupted.
She said the recent attacks, three different ones within a matter of days, couldn’t be allowed to continue.
“We’ve had members of the DHTA who have had cancellations so far,” she said, confirming as well that persons were calling the hotels to inquire how safe Dominica was, given what appears to be a growing trend.
A number of DHTA past presidents at the news conference including the Garraway Hotel’s Judith Pestaina, supported calls for a more visible police presence.
Hotelier Sam Raphael said the escalating crime situation was a worrying trend, one that could threaten the livelihood of Dominica.
Another Hotelier Atherton Martin, suggested the implementation of an early warning system by getting people to use their cell phones to alert the police when criminal acts are being committed.
Zero tolerance, put them under manners. From the bus driver stopping in the wrong place to the crackhead pissing in the corner to the cursing school girl, as a society we must demonstrate our disapproval at all form of antisocial behavior. If we accept the “small” infractions they will grow larger and larger until we are talking about major crimes.
Crime in New York during the 70’s and 80’s was major concern for the city. It was not until 90’s when Giuliani and his police chiefs pursued aggressive policies against the kind of street crime did NYC become a safer place. Sure there were some excesses but at the end of his term crime was down. Zero tolerance works to reduce the upward trend in crime. Start with the small things and the big things are less likely to develop.
I think is time to crack down on the young men on the island i have been here for 2weeks and heard and seen how violent the young men can be here more should be done. Take care og the tourist reason for carnival not coming here was due to crime some guest was help up in cassle Bruce and the people at he port was hassling the guest rude buss drivers and the list goes on I have even heard the young holding people up in town for gold chains you can be sure our ears are listing and we are watching . Dominica would not want to lose the cruise ships again .and for good .
Last year on a vist to st thomas one of our guest was kill by stray bullet from gangs fighting between then self.
Well have to pass this information on my way back
Pls do take care of the crime I would like to seen the rating clime up to the top for home
Thanks A
MR MARTIN,
KNOWING YOU AS A STRONG LEADER AND SPOKESPERSON, I CAN AT THIS TIME ASK YOU TO SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LABOR PARTY AND THE UWP PARTY TO BETTER CONTROL THE ACTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANY MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE AS TO THEIR TRUE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND VISITORS. DOMINICA POLICE FORCE IS LIKE A PROSTITUTION RING JUST WAITING ONLY ON THE BEST DEAL OFFERED TO THEM. SO IN ORDER TO HELP CURB THIS NASTY SCALE OF CRIME, I AGAIN SUGGEST THAT THERE BE AT LEAST ONE POLICE OFFICER STATIONED AT EVERY SITE WHERE THE TOURISTS VISITS DURING THEIR STAY IN DOMINICA. GET THE POLICE OFFICERS OFF THEIR SITTING BENCHES AND AREA’S OF ILL REPUTES AND HAVE THEM DO THEIR JOBS OF WHICH THEY ARE PAID TO DO.
THANK YOU.
Against tourists, residents, nationals…. crime is crime.
It exist in Dominica as well as in any other country or Nation. Maybe in a lower level.
In other hand there are in Dominica some isolated tourism zones that everybody know they “are at risk”, being far of main roads, but close to some naughty communities (Ie: Escalier Tete chien where a couple of french citizen were assaulted last year, which is beside a “crack house” known by everybody but Police).
Residential tourists, those of hoteliers, leave every day during their holidays money and strong currencies in Dominica, more than those of Cruise Ship. They love to meet the unspoiled nature of Dominica in other way than ” troupeau de moutons” following the guide , queuing in he paltform of Trafalgar Falls or before to take a picture of Emerald Pooll. .Freedom in Wild Nature is their way to appreciate their trips, the reason for what they come in the Nature Island of Caribbean, and what sale hoteliers and Discover Dominica. Those best lovers of Nature Island of Caribbean have to be safe when they are in their trip..
.
Some beaches or paths going to the sea, river side, or waterfalls where every body love to meet the unspoiled nature of Dominica are becoming the target of thiefs and criminals. They are now in the survey of potential criminals that are waiting the best circumstances for acting…. And they act under cagoule and with weapons, whenever it could be a “guide” or local people accompanying the visitors.
What will happen on the WaituKubuli trail when it will begin to be more populated by hiking tourists . ?
Police can’t be behind every tree, every cross-road, every path corner, every grain of sand !
Crime against Tourists is not new, even if press, radio, TV and statistics are quite mute about it and a lot of attack not reported. But It is certainly increasing since the past five years. Reasons are multiples, one of them is that means for pursuing and prosecution of criminals don’t look like growing as well as the number of crimes. Police chief said that Force did all it could ! For sure… but by evidence it is not enough ! It must be also a citisen action to participate in investigation and not hide evidences or clues about criminals. Dominica is made of a big number of small communities where every body knows everybody. It is impossible that any perpetrator of criminal actions could remain unknown by neibourghold. In each community, bad peopole is known for his bad maneers. In every village gangs of young or less young pepole are sitting or standing all the days on the road side smoking weed or other drugs they don’t own money to buy. Some well known “maquewo” neck and harms fitted with golden chains and tatooes, does rid big bikes or scooters that they could not honestly buy even if they had a good job in a Mistry office . Maybe no none of them is clearly involved in specific major blood crime, but if that append nobody will tell anything to the police during investigations.
Many ones, in any community, know who in between these individuals are committing crimes . But they may be worried about their safety if they were to report it to the police. A number of evidences should be made available if one could call and report these crimes while remaining anonymous and if Police Officers avoid to treat the witness (and sometimes victims) as the culprit.. This could significantly improve the chances for the police being able to find these dangerous criminals.
Sometimes, Police officers them self hesitate to go forward when investigations come closer to relatives or family. And sometimes, after having catch a criminal in the area of investigation, they give him to wear all unsolved problems (with strong arguments on view he plea guilty for all) We call that in french ” faire porter le chapeau”… Leaving the true responsible criminal pursue his live in peace… Nobody is perfect , even Police!
At the court, sometimes after very long while before appearance, a lot of thiefs or criminals recive bail : Place in jail is restricted ! But in between weekly controls in Police Station they can continue any illegal activities. When they come back in the Society and free up, no control or assistance can help them to come back to right way of life ; Does jail make miracles ? With the same vegetables and the same recepe, you cook a soup with the same taste. .
Citizen, resident, visitor, this is a common responsibility: to help police to solve any kind of crime and give the “coup de main” in view the Force arrest the criminals they watch for or they did miss!
Against crime only one motto : All together forward we go
Stop this dependency on others, America and Europe cannot control their own criminals.Now do it the Dominica way. When we know who take the ;aw in our hands and beat them, no waste of time and money oin to court and payin lawyer.
If those uys were smokin their weed they would be too chill to commit crime.So police should stop harrassing the ganja man dem and o solve real crime.
This experience is a trauma for this teenager and one she will never forget. I bet whenever she thinks of DA she will feel some hatred and nostalgia at what happened to her. It will surely have an effect on her life. Her parents will have to take her to visit a counselor/child psychologist.
Shame on those criminals who have no respect for people. They are doing much harm to DA, its economy and the hoteliers. The tourism industry in DA will suffer.
Police patrol is necessary at those areas. The Police must look out for loiterers; question them and if they have no reason to be there, arrest them.
I am wondering if those guys who committed the atrocious crimes were released on bail or were released permanently from prison.
I think the person who wrote this nonsense knows who the crimals are…read between the line…and if you are not well you are the biggest JAC EVER WITH DNO TO FOLLOW.
POLICE ARE A JOKE!! All of them wouldn’t know how to direct traffic at a 4-way stop.
Let us take a serious stand. Let us make a statement. I propose a march, lets say on Monday morning (are you on for that one DNO and supporters?) Let us stand in solidarity to stamp out crime and violence in this country. Let us march! We need to show up on the street, maybe king george V street and march all the way to kennedy avenue, with banners etc. demanding greater police presence on our streets at all hours. Especially in the town and areas frequented by tourists. This is not a march to only stamp out crime against the visitors but crime on a whole.
For those of us who may be unable to walk the streets, let us show our support, wear something orange. It could be a tie, a ribbon etc, just to show that you want the crime to stop.
I do not think that the police are getting the message yet. let us shout out with one voice.
We should not make it political, so no anti-party slogans. This is a problem that affects each and every single one of us as Dominicans, be it that we reside currently on island or away.
Let us march!!
Random question, but roughly how many tourists does Dominica get yearly? (serious question so please don’t dislike this comment, I just want to know)
This action is a crime agaainst the country, they need to allow more people to carry GUNS and business and hotel owners need to start KILLING these idiots. Dominica now have more police officers than ever, what are they doing, the police need to be more active, more patrols. They also need to start using their guns. They also need to bring back the death PENALTY.
Things will only get worse until there is a new police commissioner. One that actually knows how to inspire and direct his force to do their job. Right now, the police are very good a walking around Roseau looking cute but that doesn’t help tourists being attacked on lonely beaches. Who is going to want to visit Dominica if it’s too dangerous to go to a beach?
Aaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy think So wa if iz not D/A fellaz da do dat
Hoteliers , you must put more presure on the Gov’t to mmae the police force be more efficient.
This new DLP Gov’t is the worst we have every seen in D/ca.
But we have ourselves to blame for it. A people get the Gov’t they deserve.
OMG This is as low as you can go! U.S.A. stay away Dominica is going to Hell! I hope all Volcanoes come to life and stifle Dominica! Leaving only the good ones. The bad all know who they are.Good riddance! God spead.
Facts are stubborn things … they never go away …
Fact we have destroyed our education system with U.S.E kids in school cant learn … frustrated … their only avenue now is crime cuz they cant learn skills..
Fact .. everybody even the tourism industry failing cuz no skilled persons coming out of the schools… so attack on all fronts on this industry …
Fact, the policy makers know what they done wrong but due to pride will let the country go down the drain instead of reverse their ridiculous policies ….
The police to busy checking traffic and hustelling Bus drivers and not doing enough to catch and kill those criminals
I must add here, that Iam very saden at what is going in my homeland, Iam a true advocate of Dominica and i do my very best to send visitors to Dominica and trust me They all loved it.
firstly we need to create an atmostpher letting people know the important of torist in the country,such as going to every village and have talks with groups. have community policeing patroling our beaches. and so on.
D new hotel girl ,crime can’t be stop,gangsta 4 life
Tasha p for calypso king
to tell u the truth the police are only visible when theres a sell out of a marijuana plantation they use government for all their private uses.most police men are always drunk at the stations any way ask jj in wesley
I can’t say that you are wrong, but honestly, I see a serious decrease in crime in Wesley and Woodford Hill since jj started working here.
He and Tiyani was the perfect combination for them fellas. Go tell that to the politicians.
Those monsters need to get a public lashing !!!! They should be hanged. People in the community must have seen something, must know something but no one is talking.
The bull needs to be taken by the horn and not wait because if you wait to long ou can never take control. The U.S.A if you ask them for some help they will help. When I was a Federal Agent I went home to Dominica quite often and brought some items that would assist law enforcement. I did it because I have ties to Dominica. I think Dominica is still the best Island in the Caribbean
What is needed if the Police do not respondare well trained security officers positioned around the hotels. These officers should be trained on what to look for and to use their presense as a deterrance. The hotel staff should also be trained on what to look for and to let the Police know of any stangers lurking around.
Guests should also be told they should travel in groups when walking at night and be told the locations that they should avoid. The law enforcement officers will not see being around a hotel as top priority but when Dominca looses their tourism then it will be to late.
We need to be Proactive and at times reactive. AS a former Federal Agent, Corporate Security Manager , Security Specialist and Present Law Enforcement officer and a Dominican by decent thee are many other measures that can be implemented. I did it as a Corporate Security Manager in which I covered th entire South Florida area and also in Law Enforcement. Working wih Law Enforcement and requesting assistance is necessary . Having well trained security officers at locations is also a plus that can deter. And I mean well trained with determintion
Just look at that eh, they calling for more police to be on the street right? Yes, we are going to get more police on the street, but where? you are going to see all of them in Roseau one after the other in the same place with a little blue book giving tickets to drivers.Boy look a kinda place ehh….Dominica you win wiiii have to give that to you…hahahahaha
like i said b4 hotels around the island must now provide further employment… don’t call it security but call it ‘hospitable companion’… someone who is assigned to a tourist or a group… nope don’t tell them is for security purposes… more so tell them that this local person man/woman will be responsible for showing them around etc etc… you all can figure out the payment… use the influence to put pressure on ministers of gov’t who then would put pressure on the commissioner of police… quite honestly only in countries like dominica can this police commissioner still have a job… if that was N.Y… carrette wouldn’t be able to walk the street… everyday he’d have a press conference till he leave office… put pressure on the police men… no i’m not asking them to be everywhere… but honestly these guys are nowhere at all… and the commissioner is responsible… don’t tell me is not his fault etc… that’s what he took the job to do… and the morale of the police is decaying… the justice system sucks… in my world tiyani behanzin would sit as top judge in d/ca.. all high criminals would have to face him….
More investment in the police department,dominica need to join with the USA with some training ,to get that crime upsurge under control.
You making me laugh! Don’t you think this is the price we’re paying now???!!! Our AM/PM has made his allegiance quite clear; is the Communist countries he aligning himself with. The U.S. Government always who their friends are, trust me.
USA? Maybe you wanted to say Venezuela or ALBA.
SO ITS ONLY WHEN THEIR INDUSTRY IS AFFECTED DAT THEY OPENING THEIR BUSH
EXOTICALLY THEY CALLING FOR PARLIAMENT TO INTERVENE WAW WHAT PERFECT TIMING BOYCOTT FINISH NOW INTERVENTION OF PARLIAMENT WE REALLY GOOD IN DOMINICA WE BOY
LET US CONDEMN ALL ACTS OF VIOLENCE DONE IN DOMINICA WHETHER ITS AGAINST DOMINICANS OR TOURISTS, VISITORS ETC ETC AND ALSO THEIR PROPERTY ETC ETC ETC
SO MUCH ROBBERIES AND BURGLARIES ETC AND WE HEARD NOTHING IN TERMS OF CONDEMNATION BY THAT GROUP AND OTHERS
ALL CRIME AND VIOLENCE MUST ALWAYS BE CONDEMNED AT ALL TIMES AND WE MUST DE-POLITICIZE OUR APPROACH TO FIGHTING CRIME
I WAS BREACHED ABOUT THIS MEETING
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE
Our first step is to encourage bipartisan support for a resolution to be tabled in parliament today
wow ….thanks for expounding on that
Little money:
Since some few fellows in Dominica attack tourists for little money, you know that they go just after to drink it or just to take drug, so it’s very easy to organize a reward system, people give information about those bad guys and when we arrest them, you got some money too.
I think it could stop the bestiality very quick.
It would cost less than to put plenty policemen everywhere.
This situation will escalate if we dont do something about it now. it will not only happen to tourist but locals will also be attacked. so we need to rise up and nip it in the bud else we wont be safe even at our own homes. Please God take control.
Hi, I got already a solution for my customers, if the bad situation increase, I’ll rent my cars with security gard from my village, I’ll find people not to expensive to follow my customers, because when you go hiking with locals, nobody attacks you, because locals know the bad locals. I manage already a price for that.
I believe the establishment of police foot patrols if not nationally, but in crime prone areas, may help to reduce the frequency of such heinous acts.
The establishment of a toll free hot line to the central crime fighting unit which can be easily and quickly accessed by civilians who can then use the facility to report on a crime in progress.
The more widespread use of surveillence cameras.
More efficient lighting.
More punitive measures (deterrents) to be instituted against those caught and convicted of these criminal acts.
Bring back the death penalty!! Stop the foolishness about it does not work. Let us face it, Dominica is relatively small with a tiny population where a lot of people know each other. Hanging one’s brother, father or uncle for committing a murder would surely help to stem the madness in Dominica. Those who say it does not work, ask them to present the evidence that shows that cappital punishment does not work in Dominica.
Additionally tagging known criminals may prove useful, since I hear that guys from Grand bay are now dressing up in sensay costume and travelling all the way to the north to commit crimes. Mr country is shedding tears continually, Mr Prime Minister, government and private sector together we can do it, if we try, so let us take a bite out of crime.
oh my i cannot get over that….if i was there…i would have pleaded with these guys to rape me instead of this young child
Tiny what are you saying? I taught you were tiny. Seriously though, doing it to somebody else does not make it right. That activity needs to be stamped out!!!
I hope you belle “Thumbs down myself”
i agree, i believe the parents tried something like that cuz the poor girl was a virgin it hurt my heart
Alas Lord Jesus..how long…I can imagine the terror this family went through..so sorry to hear of this..I have children…May the Lord bring them through this and heal their scars…in time.
@ Tiny……….. u swef man?
You sound like a guy with eleven.
You make me laugh.
i dont know how many times i have to say the same thing here. Dominica needs police patrols. put them on their feet, put them in cars, put them in unmarked vehicles to drive around. dominica has so many officers and they are all allowed to walk around roseau and only roseau. why are they not patrolling salisbury, mahaut, point mitchel, massacre, st joseph, portsmouth…? i mean come one, there should even be about four officers walking the beaches, even if it is only with stun guns. this is getting ridiiculous. i see no reason why they cannot do patrols. on bikes, cars and foot. what are they getting paid for, if not to make the public and tourists feel safe. patrols would cut down that crap quickly
Tanya Stephens – The Other Cheek
Providing no jobs and telling us stop the crime
Is like beating a child and telling him not to cry
With all the highways you a build and go through
You never build a little avenue
Fi di youths dem earn a buck,
things a run a muck
tell me what the
You really think a go happen
If dem enuh earn a buck gun a buss
and none of us
really want that to happen
You mistah, you know me nah try fi dis ya
but everything no so criss ya
we jus a look a little help prime ministah
Chorus
Do you expect me to turn the other cheek
taste my tears and admit defeat
do you expect me to listen when you speak
You never ever practice what you prech
Do you expect me to still come out and vote
No matter what happens were always broke
and the people seh dem
tired of being poor
a that the emperess a chant
and the lion a roar
Reader: stop giving criminals a reason to commit crime!!!!! them guys just wicked and need to be killed on site no matter what!! we too wicked cuz we’ll say if it was your brother if i would want him killed; but if it was my brother would he like someone to do that to me??? sumtimes we hyprocisy take over our lives to much. stupes
DNO I am somewhat confused that your editor allowed a few choiced words in this poem/song to be posted .
Your Flipping FOOL!! – because your moda was not able to send you school you start smoking weed and blame your parents???
I Cannot believe people like you still exist!!! to come on-line and excrete such Rubbish !!
Facts are stubborn things … they never go away …
Fact is … the song captures the situation in D/A right now to the t.
Fact we have destroyed our education system with U.S.E kids in school cant learn … frustrated … their only avenue now is crime cuz they cant learn skills..
Fact .. everybody even the tourism industry failing cuz no skilled persons coming out of the schools… so attack on all fronts on this industry …
Fact, the policy makers know what they done wrong but due to pride will let the country go down the drain instead of reverse their ridiculous policies ….
mrs/ms armour you look exceptionally lovely in this photo…. hhhmmmmmm
You have 50/50 vision mouth of g/b!