Amigoe: Holloway-case leaves its marks on the police-commissioners’ conference

One year after the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and they still do not get it. The ACCP, Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police, and have come to the determination that it is an issue to “emphasized the importance of the safety image.” NO, its not an image, it is supposed to be a reality.  

Portraying an image of a safe and secure island is exactly what has got Aruba in to the nightmare scenario they find themselves today. Honestly would be a first step. Competency in investigations would be another. Not protecting your own and providing a cover up would be a third.

It is absolutely unbelievable that almost one year after Natalee Holloway disappeared that these Caribbean islands are as clueless as they were prior to the Alabama teens disappearance. No one wants to hear or read about how safe and secure you are. TOURISTS want to see actions. Talk is cheap. Governor Fredis Refunjol made the following comment,

“People on vacation do not want to be concerned about what to expect around the next corner.”

Once again they have it wrong. People on vacation do not want to be lied to that there is no crime. They do not want to be lied to that guidelines, rules and laws of Caribbean islands are going to be enforced, except for the privileged few. Tourists do not want to spend their hard earned money and find out that if God forbid something happen like their child go missing that it will be botched or covered up. Tourists also do not want to vacation places where they are made to be the criminal and treated poorly when they are the victim. Why would anyone spend money to be treated like this?

ACCP, get a clue … or be prepared for even worse tourism numbers.

Amigoe: May 29, 2006; Holloway-case leaves its marks on the police-commissioners’ conference 

ARUBA – The topic of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) conference is ‘Safety and Security’.  Many of the meetings used the disappearance of Natalee Holloway as eye-catching example of the topic.  Not so much the tracing of the teenager was relevant during the conference, but the learning of a lesson through that case.    

The annual conference of the ACCP takes place from May 25^th up till 31^st.  During the opening ceremony, Governor Fredis Refunjol emphasized the importance of the safety image.  “People on vacation do not want to be concerned about what to expect around the next corner.  Going on vacation is to forget the day-to-day concerns.  Aruba is not the only island that has to deal with the consequences of a tragic incident.  More islands had experienced negative publicity in the media in the past.  That is a big problem for countries that depend on the tourism.”

He indicated that it is necessary to spread as much adequate information as possible on medical facilities for example and to display the amount of surveillance and control.  According to the governor, safety is an integral part of the tourist product and enough attentions should be paid to the promotion of that.