Results to Snap Poll 3 October 17th 2011

1.   What has been the impact of the curfew on your business?

 

 

 

 

 

Comments:

• MY BUSINESS IS IN TOBAGO : Although business is quieter than normal it is not possible for me to tell if that is because fewer people are travelling to Tobago because of the curfew. I believe so, but cannot prove it.
• Mainly affecting shift hours.
• While there was some fear that there would have been, this has not turned out to be the case. We are, however, watching closely as a number of our consumers incomes have been reduced and this will show eventually.
• We are in the events,entertainment and media industry whereby nearly all events are scheduled for evenings.
• Loss of production hours.
• Minimal because we have been able to work around it. There have been occurrences when it was a real hindrance but that has only occurred on one or two occasions.
• We do not operate during the curfew hours.
• I am a retiree, hence none.
• Adjustment of hours has meant that staff members don’t get the same number of hours as they normally would. Having to allow some people to leave earlier to travel home also impacts on the tasks to be done before closing time.
• Networking opportunities truncated by curfew hours.
• Late work meetings with associates cannot be easily held.

 

2.   With the implementation of the State of Emergency and moreso, the curfew, what has been the impact on cargo clearance for your business operations?

Comments:

• Not applicable as I do not handle cargo.
• No imports.
• With the curfew at 9pm there was some impact, however, since curfew has been moved to 11pm there has been no impact.
• Do not clear cargo.
• Not applicable in my case.
• Cargoes not involved in my business.

 

3.   Do you anticipate that the State of Emergency will negatively impact on pre-christmas shopping activities?

Comments:

• NOT IN TOBAGO
• Most certainly as the extra time allowed will be curtailed to 8.00pm and the supermarkets normally extend to longer business hours during this particular season.
• Malls have run longer hours to accommodate shopping and in the city areas persons shop later hours, small traders are also affected as they depend on the after hours sales.
  Staff will now attempt to browse or shop during work hours taking approved/non approved time off resulting in some loss of productive hours.

 

4.   With the curfew in effect, has the inter-island transportation been effective in meeting the needs of Tobago in terms of supplies and other necessities?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments:

• NOT APPLICABLE TO MY BUSINESS BUT I HEAR STORIES THAT THERE ARE SHORTAGES AND THAT THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE MAGDALENA GRAND IS TAKING PRECIOUS CARGO SPACE. NOT FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE.
• I don’t know.
• Don’t know.
• There seem t o be food shortages in T’bago because of the SoE.
• I do not know.
• Not applicable in my case.
• N/A.
• I cannot say.
• Based on reports more on the cargo vessel that transports goods rather than the ferry service where times have been adjusted.
• Can’t comment..have no direct links.

 

5.   Do you think the Chamber should call for the immediate discontinuance of the curfew?

Comments:

• NOT UNLESS THERE IS IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE THAT THE SOE AND THE CURFEW IS NOT WORKING. DISRUPTION OF BUSINESS IN ITSELF IS NOT GOOD, BUT WE MUST PUT UP WITH IT IF THE SOE IS ACHIEVING RESULTS. IT IS A ONE-OFF EVENT. CRIME IS PERMANENT AND MUST BE DEALT WITH IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER.
• Also stopping the SOE as a whole as it it does not seem to be consistent with the reasons given for it. It seems to be used for crime fighting and that though that is of highest priority, one ought not use illegal means to fight lack of adherence to laws.
• No! What I think the Chamber should continue to ask is 1) What happens after. i.e. What is being worked on now to ensure that we do not revert back to the madness. 2)What are the police doing internally to put their house in order?
• To date, there has been no issue,event or activity that warranted a state of emergency. everything that was done by the forces and the authorities did not need a SOE. it also shows the police is not competentent as they need the SOE to assist them in combating crime.
• We need to have stiffer penalties,and no bail for repeat offenders, serious crimes. Perpetrators must start with 20 years, Strokes with the birch must be upheld. legislation should be passed to replace hanging with lethal injections. Jay walking is a crime and there must be a fine or community service attached to it.People are becoming bolder and more disrespectful especially to their elders, women and children. We need to address these issues swiftly before things get worse.
• I don’t see that the curfew exclusively addresses crime supression. In other words all the reported arrests and interdiction could also occur without the imposition of the curfew.
• Absolutely NOT!!!
• Crimes are being committed regardless of whether it’s there or not. All the curfew is allowing for is law enforcement to supposedly not have to be out to monitor activity. In some areas of activity it’s causing binge drinking and reckless driving.