http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 27,00.html
“Soaring crime rates in Jamaica and Trinidad are “scaring the living daylights” out of hoteliers in the region, according to the Caribbean Hotel Association.
More than 1,400 people have been murdered in Jamaica so far this year, making the One Love nation statistically more dangerous than Iraqi hot spots Mosul and Basra. In Trinidad and Tobago, which has seen 280 murders and a spate of bombings, the prime minister, Patrick Manning, has requested assistance from Scotland Yard and the FBI.”
Not the best advertisement for Tobago – especially when it is linked with Trinidad.
Sunday Times Travel Section Article – 23rd October 2005
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
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No, it certainly isn't - but its also very unfair to slate Tobago without undertstanding and appreciating the very clear cultural, ethnic and economic differences between the two islands.
Trinidad is a totally different country to Tobago. The two islands are not tied through choice - Britain dumped Tobago onto Trinidad in 1888 after the English merchant bank that controlled the plantations went bust and effectively destroyed commercial agriculture on the island. Trinidad and Tobago and almost like Britain and Hong Kong - well, certainly like Britain and Gibraltar.
Lets just put it another way. I haven't visited Trinidad since 1988, but I go to Tobago every year. When you try to connect to myTobago.info and find the site no longer there, you will know that I have lost faith and decided its time to go elsewhere.
Yes, I am very concerned by the problem - just as I am increasingly concerned by the rapidly increasing levels of mindless street crime here in the UK. The worst thing is that the impression I get is that the powers-that-be in Trinidad simply dismiss Tobago's demands for more resources to fight crime and improve security on the grounds that Tobago "hasn't got a problem". It certainly hasn't, in comparison to Trinidad, but the fast boat service from Trinidad is making it increasingly easy for Trinidadian criminals to shoot over to Tobago for a day of activity. Fortunately the THA (local Tobago government) are aware of this and are tightening controls, but they could do an awful lot more. Trouble is, I sometimes think they're in a state of denial about the problems. I see an awful lot of talk, but not as much action as I would expect and hope for. That's Tobago all over I guess.
Trinidad is a totally different country to Tobago. The two islands are not tied through choice - Britain dumped Tobago onto Trinidad in 1888 after the English merchant bank that controlled the plantations went bust and effectively destroyed commercial agriculture on the island. Trinidad and Tobago and almost like Britain and Hong Kong - well, certainly like Britain and Gibraltar.
Lets just put it another way. I haven't visited Trinidad since 1988, but I go to Tobago every year. When you try to connect to myTobago.info and find the site no longer there, you will know that I have lost faith and decided its time to go elsewhere.
Yes, I am very concerned by the problem - just as I am increasingly concerned by the rapidly increasing levels of mindless street crime here in the UK. The worst thing is that the impression I get is that the powers-that-be in Trinidad simply dismiss Tobago's demands for more resources to fight crime and improve security on the grounds that Tobago "hasn't got a problem". It certainly hasn't, in comparison to Trinidad, but the fast boat service from Trinidad is making it increasingly easy for Trinidadian criminals to shoot over to Tobago for a day of activity. Fortunately the THA (local Tobago government) are aware of this and are tightening controls, but they could do an awful lot more. Trouble is, I sometimes think they're in a state of denial about the problems. I see an awful lot of talk, but not as much action as I would expect and hope for. That's Tobago all over I guess.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Louise I
- myTobago Nut
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2003 8:58 pm
- Location: Brighton UK
We also saw the article. We have been to Tobago 4 times (so far - getting married there next year) and have always felt safe. I always read the local paper when there and the crimes reported are either usually in Trinidad, by "trini's" or domestic (eg the parties involved know each other or have some history).
I used to practice criminal law in the UK and believe me - it is far worse here than Tobago.
We always stay in Charlotteville - and the locals there tell us to be careful going to Scarborough - which compared to Brighton (our home town) has v little crime. Mind you they say the same about going to Speyside....
Clearly rising crime needs to be dealt with - but Tobago has a along way to go to get near the problems we have.
I used to practice criminal law in the UK and believe me - it is far worse here than Tobago.
We always stay in Charlotteville - and the locals there tell us to be careful going to Scarborough - which compared to Brighton (our home town) has v little crime. Mind you they say the same about going to Speyside....
Clearly rising crime needs to be dealt with - but Tobago has a along way to go to get near the problems we have.