myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Point taken Lisa.

It could be ...

-- An organised group that targets villas or such ... whether they be from Trinidad or wherever.

-- Perhaps people are spotted 'showing off' and get marked ... or are 'known'.

As you say there is always more to these issues than what is reported and perhaps one could speculate that it could be like ... the person didn't get the job on building them a conservatory ... who knows ?

It can be all kinds of things ... but it's wrong (whatever we say) and it should be condemned ...

... no point looking for answers or reasons ... it should not happen in any society - end of!! ... but it does happen ... everywhere in the world ... luckily it's extremely rare in Tobago.

We just have to deal with it as best we can ... there is as much good as there is bad all around the world ... but I sense that the balance between good and bad in Tobago is heavily weighted towards 'GOOD' ... Tobago still has a massive place in my heart and I will still go there.

It's a lovely place ... we must not forget that.

Regards

Hang the b******s

May I quote an article from yesterday's Trinidad & Tobago Guardian. I have had no confirmation and have no further information, but let's hope that it is true:

Arouca police were up to late yesterday questioning a male suspect in connection with the recent murders of Swedish couple Ake Olsson and Anna Sundvall in Tobago.

And, police believe, they have made a major breakthrough in the investigation, which has rattled the island.

Olsson and Sundvall were discovered hacked to death at their villa in Bon Accord on October 9.

The suspect, who police believe was involved in several serious crimes, was apprehended during an operation by Homicide Bureau investigators, under Insp Stanley Ryan, yesterday.

Police confirmed that the suspect, who was held in a house, was not either of the two suspects who had first been detained in connection with the killings.

He is expected to be taken to Tobago for an identification parade over the weekend.

Police said the suspect had several different addresses, including ones in Carenage, Arouca and Port-of-Spain.

I know it is a quote ... but why would it 'rattle the island'? Is this person some kind of celebrity? Very strange wording in the report ... what's going on???

I hope they get the right person ... I am being a bit cynical about this because of the fiasco surrounding the Antigua incident earlier this year ... as much as I want the person caught I don't want an innocent person punished for this.

I made a post earlier to suggest that perhaps there is something getting organised to target villas/people ... there has to be more than just one individual behind this ... no one just randomly goes to a villa to rob, rape or pillage ... based on the accounts that have been put forward in this thread I sense that there is a group (or some groups) of wasters that needs to be infiltrated and snuffed out.

There is more to this and I don't think that just catching one person is enough ... sorry, but that's my opinion.

This is a a BIG BIG problem that Tobago needs to sort out.

Regards

Hi Paul

My reading of the article - and I agree it isn't well written - is that the murders (i.e the incident) have rattled the Island. I don't think it means to imply that the arrest of this person has rattled the Island.

hi, i am travelling to tobago next month with 3 friends. We were intended on staying in a 2 bed villa, since this terrible event i have been wondering if this is the safest option and would really appreciate some advise. Would it be safer to spend more and get a hotel?

Hello Emily

Welcome aboard!

I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that 2-bedroom villas are any more at risk than other properties. Sorry, I am only teasing. The truth is that at this moment on time, the police and public are so acutely aware and horrified by this incident that Tobago is probably the safest place in the Caribbean for a holiday. Of course if you feel unsafe, then all the fancy words in the world aren't going to make you feel safer. The trouble is that without knowing exactly where you are staying, I really can't comment or offer other than the most general advice.

Fear not, I'm sure you are going to have a wonderful holiday and realise how rare serious incidents against tourists are.

Not good news out of Tobago. It has been reported that 2 British couples have been robbed with the females assaulted early this morning in Black Rock. Check out todays Trinidad Express.

Hi all

Walking around with a cutlass during daytime, that´s one thing, it´s mostly a tool. But do the same in the evening time, that´s for sure a different thing. Watch up for that when seeing/meeting someone you don´t know.

I´d read the Internet Express, and it say it happen 2am, how did he get in? Was the door open or unlocked, or was there an open sliding door? I´ve been in T&T since 1989, but I never leave my door unlocked when I go to sleep, never mind the fact that I know the area and the peoples who are living there. THEY doesn´t walk around in the night looking for "fast money", but others might do so!

The owners of houses/apartments for rent will have to increase the security now, they doesn´t have any option any more unless they will see their business slow down. Except for security personell there are:
- dogs, no small pet-dogs, bigger ones, as everyone know they make a lot of noise
- infrared sensors (or something like that) active after sunset, and able to see the different betwen dogs an human, activate loud alarm and light
- cameras, can also be controlled by a sensor
- there are also small units using wire less communication, many houses can be connected to a general check point as well alarm to everybody who´s connected
- personell protection or spray, there are also units which give out a very high sound
- and so on

Regarding personell raction, the problem is, NO ONE know how they will react when something happen, never mind if we talk about an attack or bad accident. Never mind how much one might say "I know what to do when .... happen", WHEN it happen they might find themself without power! Mentally we aren´t all so prepared as we think.

This security problem will not end so quickly, mostly visitors are seen as "wallets on two legs" bý these criminals. If we don´t act, they will take their chance one time after an other, as long they see that the police can´t get them.

T&T is nice, and there are thousends of very nice, friendly persons there, both in Trinidad and Tobago, but you only need ONE criminal to destroy you vacation and your trust of others.
Ronald

bummer.

guess ill look into my travel insurance to see what our options are.

Hi Stefan

As I´ve been attacked in Tobago once some years ago, normally swedish home insurance use to cover the most, but check it up. IF something happen any swedish abroad, they should also know that Brottsskadefonden can also give you some additional money.
For those who want to know what that is, it´s a government organisation. Peoples who has become victims for an criminal events of some kind, in Sweden or abroad, can ask for compensation there. Personal insurance doesn´t always pay back everything, so via them you can often get the rest.
Also, buying a ticket via VISA, Mastercard, Eurocard can also sometimes give some extra protection.
Ronald

Hi Ronald.

jag tänkte snarast kolla möjligheterna till ersättning om jag avbokar resan.
(i was thinking more along the lines of a refund if i cancel the trip)

holy crap

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl ... =161390442

I'm just shaking reading this. This sounds very much like the same M.O. in the case of my friend and I, only it seems he's (if it is the same guy) gotten even more aggressive. This is some bad, bad news for Tobago. And my heart goes out to the victims because I know it's going to be a long, long recovery for them.

Yes it will be long recovery ... but I do not believe that those that carry out these recent crimes come from Tobago ... it is only, unfortunately, 'happening' in Tobago ... ever heard the saying 'don't rob from your own street'?

Tobago is suffering from this too and I hope that the Police are given the powers to somehow stop it but this is hard if the crimes are committed by people from outside the Island ... I guess this is what can happen in places where tourism is growing ... it's attracts crime too like anywhere else ... it's a problem for Tobago to resolve to protect it's biggest earner .... tourism ... Tobago is starting to learn I guess ... it's just life !!

Meanwhile ... we all need to start learning to be more vigilant when we go there ... criminals have found Tobago just like we have and other accessible, idyllic parts of the world have had the same problem ... I will still go there, it's still as safe or safer than anywhere else as long as you take basic precautions about your security.

Regards

We have just returned from our first trip to Tobago, and unfortunately arrived within hours of the Swedish couple being murdered. Our villa was approximately 75 yards from their villa and we could see their villa from our balcony.

We were greeted by the agent who explained the situation to us and offered us alternative accommodation or 24 hour security. As there was such a huge police presence within our back yard, we felt we were probably safer staying where we were and opted instead for security from 1800 - 0600.

We also attended a candle-lit memorial service outside the villa on Friday 17th October. It was an emotional hour with around 30 people (all Islanders apart from us) attending. Unfortunately the strongest message we received was that crime is now out of control on the island. The people attending the meeting all passed on a strong message that "enough is enough" and they are begging the Government to do more to protect the people of Tobago and the visitors to the island.

Referring to the crime committed - although a phone call to the police was made when neighbours heard screams, it took the police 45 minutes to arrive at the villa - it was not an immediate response as had been reported on this thread.

Although we had a good time, our minds always returned to the terrible crime which had been committed, as we had to pass the villa each time we went went out. The people we met were very friendly, the island was beautiful (we toured the whole island twice) but unfortunately I doubt we would return until the Government has implemented an effective police force to deal with the increasing level of crime. We left Tobago on Thursday evening and at that time no-one had been charged with the double murder or the assault - the locals we spoke to admitted they were nervous in their own homes now.

Deb, your account is revealing.

I have had a sense that this trouble has not come 'from' Tobago as I have said all through these unfortunate threads.

Many of the people in the communites of Tobago are decent folk who would swiftly find out if a member of their community carried out atrocities such as this.

They must be at as much of a loss as we are as you have so effectively conveyed in your post.

Not good times for them or us ... but I am sure you have seen how genuinely frustrated the people of Tobago are about this ... they don't deserve it ... and the THA needs to seriously get it's act together.

As tourists/visitors ... the best we can do is give Tobago our support by keeping on going there if we can ... I will continue to do so ... the only thing that stops me is money (or lack of).

Regards