Kidnapped student

[bocca]

What is the schools position on the student who was kidnapped? Do they care, don't care, vexed, etc????

Do they think to sweep it under the rug?

I know they could care less for the students, but this is serious. In the US the FBI would be involved. I know the student is an US citizen so are they calling them to inform them he was kidnapped and forced to pay them??

[futrphysician]

someone was kidnapped in Dominica? Where would they take them? Scuba diving?

I hope this isn't true and I am not minimizing it if true, but this is a small country, like...really small. They can't go too far, unless they take them somewhere off island. Then they have problems...the family involved I mean.

[Black_Pride]

yo let some lilyassed muthafo kidnap this black ***.I will run a fist up they ***.Who be doin that stuff yo?Word up i'll be killin someone.Bring my 9 and stuff mess someone ALL up yo.

peeeaaace

[Fear]

black pride... as dave chapelle says in his comedy sketch, blacks are never taken hostage... because he says they are bad bargaining chips! lol, im just kidding... but if this kidnapping is true, i hope there is a positive resolution to this and im also positive that unlike the original poster said, the school definitely cares and im sure everything will be done to bring the student back... where did you get this info anyway?

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Is this stuff really true??? :cry:

[Cuando2]

black pride... as dave chapelle says in his comedy sketch, blacks are never taken hostage... because he says they are bad bargaining chips! lol, im just kidding... but if this kidnapping is true, i hope there is a positive resolution to this and im also positive that unlike the original poster said, the school definitely cares and im sure everything will be done to bring the student back... where did you get this info anyway?

the student is fine...i see him and he is perfectly fine (no bodily harm). i was hoping this story wouldnt hit this newsgroup...NOT because i was afraid it would get out and destroy ross' reputation, but because it is likely it would get blown out of proportion (especially on this and other ross boards) and the story will get distorted, and it will sound worse than it really was. I mean, it was bad as it is for someone to go through that, but he was still fine. The thing is, down here, they can kidnap you and hold you hostage, etc, etc, but you will most likely never be hurt. just give them the money that they want, and at least you will be fine and not hurt. once you are hurt, its a totally different situation. but that will most likely never happen here...i mean, the same thing could happen to you when you are working at McDonalds in the US and some guy comes in and holds you up and demands money...except, in the US, they guy really COULD just pull the trigger! Just take precautions, and also, try to live as close to campus as you possibly can...also, try NOT to return home at the same exact times each night, try to vary this so that nobody can observe your patterns and be "expecting" you when you return. Most of all, dont worry about this incident...something happens down here and everyone goes crazy over a simple robbery...someone gets killed in a hold-up in the US and its easily overlooked.

[microphage]

Ok, so I should have waited another 2 minutes :D


That's good to hear the story was blown out of proportion and the student is fine.

[dt]

I wonder if the student loan covers this type of event?

[Fear]

glad to hear that the student is fine... that's great news.

[tekky]

'observe your patterns and be "expecting" you when you return'

shiver...

[Black_Pride]

Yo dude,I replied to yo message.You down with the eye of Horace.Bad bargaining chips.I never laughed so hard in my life yo.

Peace to you and all you brothers out there.

Hopefuly the kidnapped dude(or lady) is ok.Ill be pissed if they not.

[happydoc]

Glad to hear that the student wasn't harmed in any way.

Was the individual walking alone? What if you don't carry cash?
They like wouldn't take you back to your place to get money, would they? Sorry, maybe I am a little bit naive.

Are there certain areas that are not considered safe?

a little bit concerned,
happydoc :)

[Ganja Magic]

According to official sources (the 1st semester class representative) the student was kidnapped by two heroin addicts and taken to the bank ATM, where they forced him to withdraw a few hundred EC.

Location of the crime was not given, nor the current status of the police investigation (if there is any).

Thankfully, the poor guy is fine and unhurt. Druggies usually only want money anyway. It's just sad that most likely they got away with most of his loan money (which was probably deposited in the account).

Apparently, the real danger is in isolated areas, like Hempstead Beach, where planned robberies have occurred. The safest thing to do is carry a big-*** flashlight, and take the University transport home if you live far away.

[happydoc]

Thanks, Ganga Magic for the reply.

Safety in numbers, eh?

happydoc :)

[CountMacula]

[DELETED]

[Infiri]

ATM limit is 1,000 EC, the limit per transaction is 400 EC, but you just hit the yes botton for another transaction and take out another 400 EC, then take out 200 EC, and thats it... Also if you going shopping for more than 1,000 EC like TV or other things make sure you take out money the day before and then you will have 1,000 in hand and 1,000 on the card.

[Skip Intro]

I was robbed on the island during my first semester down there. Long story short, it was mostly a result of my own stupidity. I was out late, LATE at night walking home by myself. I got jumped by a bunch of guys. I only had $20 EC on me, so I guess I got the last laugh - especially since they didn't hurt me.

Point is, don't go anywhere by yourself. We had a rash of a crimes during the Fall of 2001. The school was very open and proactive about it. Dr. Rios recommended that everyone carry a whistle at the time. The local police force sucks, though, and they are not going to do much follow-up. If you aren't hurt or they don't catch them in the act, don't expect them to do a lot.

It gets bad right before Christmas when everyone is desperate for money for the holidays. Be vigilant. Don't travel alone. Let the administration and campus security know as soon as stuff like this happens. They will make the police aware that it's a problem. And, did I say never travel alone?

And, just so you know, I did make it off the island in sixteen months unscathed. Also, I just passed STEP I (and did pretty well - 220+)! So, you guys can do it too. I'm getting ready to start clinicals in a few weeks. Stay focused. Be safe. And, get off the island as quickly as possible. You'll be back in the U.S. before you know it, and getting on with your regular lives!

-Skip

[Ross]

According to the elected first semester class representative, he did not provide the information which Ganja Magic posted earlier. In fact, there is no indication that the two men involved in the robbery were heroin addicts or were on any type of drugs at the time of the incident.

Two men wearing masks were hiding when the student came home. They approached from behind and forced him, at knife point, to enter the house. They proceeded, over a two hour period, to steal his pocket money and to search the apartment for money and gold.

When a search of the apartment did not produce enough money, one thief forced the student, again at knife point, to go to the ATM and to withdraw money. Once the transactions were complete, the thief took the student back to his apartment. The student was left there and told to provide money in a hiding spot the next day. The thief promised to return and collect it. (Needless to say, no one ever came back to see if any money had been left.) The student was left unharmed but shaken in the aprtment and contacted police and campus security when he was sure the thieves had left.

The police investigation is proceeding at this time. The University is providing the student with supportive services. Both will continue until the matter is resolved.

On a slightly different note, the robberies at Hempstead are probably not "planned". This beach is so isolated that almost any robbery would have to be an opportunistic crime. The University would not recommend this beach for picnicking or sighseeing. While the crimes against students and faculty have been few in number, they have involved violence and for this reason, the University would suggest that students frequent beaches which are more "friendly" such as Castaways Beach, Battalie Beach or Castle Bruce beach.

[Ganja Magic]

With all due respect,

The elected representative made his comments in front of the entire class this morning (Monday) after lecture, and clearly stated that these two men were "some sort of heroin addicts" and only mentioned that the victim was forced to withdraw money from his ATM account at knifepoint. No other details were offered, including anything about any police investigation or the location of the crime (both pieces of information which would have immeasurably aided his fellow students in easing our many concerns and worries).

He was up there in an official capacity, and offered us that information freely. There were a class full of witnesses. If he announced incorrect information, maybe he and the Administration should get their facts straight before making announcements in front of class, and then start backpedalling because what he mentioned was plain wrong.

[tRmedic21]

I am quite thankful that no harm came to the student in a physical sense during this incident. Thank you to the Dean of Ross U for providing information publicly to help quell the rumors that inevitably spread from this kind of situation.

Good luck to any and all who attend Ross or any other Caribbean schools. These kinds of events can happen anywhere you go, remember, even the most economically sound islands are immeasurably poorer than what we are used to in the States!

Use common sense, and try not to place yourselves in situations where you may become a victim!

[oc23]

It's true. I was there. The 1st semester class representative DID say the two men were "some sort of heroin addicts." He also did not mention the whole thing about going into the apartment. We were told that the men came from behind and, at knife-point, forced him to go to the ATM to empty out his account. I was surprised to learn from Dean Wagner that the whole ordeal took two hours. I really hope that student is fine.

From what I heard from a guy in my class, that student was dropped off by the Ross transport that night, but the driver apparently did not wait for him to get into the door before he drove off. From what I understand, the drivers are SUPPOSED to wait. However, just last night, when I took the transport home at 11:45pm, the driver drove off without waiting for me to get in to my apartment. Dean Wagner, doesn't Ross tell these transport drivers that they HAVE TO wait?

[newB]

does anyone know where this happened? Which apartment or trail so I can be on the lookout....

[Black_Pride]

anyone know what the gun laws are down there?I still have not decided on schools yet,but no matter where I go I AM GOING TO BE ARMED.Not to hurt nobody but the dude who is pullin this stuff.I know customs will be sniffin thru my bags down there but it is real easy ti hide a .22 mini gun.

Peace

[Ganja Magic]

Last night, watching the usual transport stop near my apartment, the transport driver simply dropped off my two female neighbors (in an unlighted section of Banana Trail, by the way) and drove off without making sure they got in their apartment okay. And this was the night after the robbery.

Not that anything would have happened, since Banana Trail is quite safe, but still, its great to see Ross personnel doing their job with their usual modicum of service, concern and competence. :wink:

[Ross]

Will someone please send me a PM telling me the name of the "first semester class representative" that made the announcement.

I am NOT backpedaling. I did not ask any class representatives to make any official announcements. I do not know of any dean who did ask that that announcement be made. I did not provide any information regarding that event to any member of SGA. Consequently, the Administration has it's facts straight as far as I know.

I am trying to find out who is saying what so that rumors can be minimized. The remark that the perpetrators were "heroin addicts" is not based in fact and I have a copy of an email from the "elected" first semester class rep saying that he did not make that remark. If I can have some more information regarding who, specifically, made the comment, I can do what I think Ganja Magic really wants.....make sure that the facts that the students receive are "straight".[/quote]

[Ganja Magic]

Will someone please send me a PM telling me the name of the "first semester class representative" that made the announcement.

Already done. Check your inbox.


I am NOT backpedaling. I did not ask any class representatives to make any official announcements. I do not know of any dean who did ask that that announcement be made. I did not provide any information regarding that event to any member of SGA. Consequently, the Administration has it's facts straight as far as I know.

No one is accusing the Administration of backpedaling (yet). However, the First Semester class has one and only one "Class Representative", and a class-full of people witnessed him commandeer the microphone after class and announce in an official capacity the details of the crime. If we are talking about the same person, which I am 99% sure we are, then he certainly backpedalled from his comments in class. Own up to what you said, buddy.

I am trying to find out who is saying what so that rumors can be minimized. The remark that the perpetrators were "heroin addicts" is not based in fact and I have a copy of an email from the "elected" first semester class rep saying that he did not make that remark. If I can have some more information regarding who, specifically, made the comment, I can do what I think Ganja Magic really wants.....make sure that the facts that the students receive are "straight".

What I really want the the Truth, unfiltered, unbiased. When our rep said what he said in front of the class, we all believed him since he is a representative of the Administration as well. But when he backs off from that, denies making those comments, then the good Dean contradicts that information, who are we to trust? He shouldn't have made any annoucements at all if the Deans didn't authorize him.

This incident should serve to illustrate how "anonymous students", or "a friend of mine" aren't the only ones perpetuating rumor.

[jim]

hope this guy is alright! we never had anything happen like that when i was there. we had a rash of burglarys at the start of 1st semster(i got hit 2 times!..guess they came back for what they missed the 1st time!) . what is nice with dominica is the locals are very timid. even when armed, you usually dont have to wrry about them actually doing anything. I would still recommend doing what they say, as you never know. Dominica is still much safer then any clinicla location in the states. and thst for pretty much ALL med schools. i made it through the clinicals without any more problems then stolen hubcaps and a borken window. by the way, the comment about december? we were told that the island releases non-violent prisoners for the holidays. crazy,eh?

[Ross]

Ganja Magic, I went back and re-read your posting about backpedaling and you are correct. I misread it. You were questioning if the class rep was back pedaling or not. You were not accusing me as I originally thought. In his defense, no, he is not.

Can I suggest that we hold off for just a little while? The person that I talked with is not the same one that addressed the class. (The list of class reps that I received is confusing as to who is the elected rep!) Once I've talked to the person that did address the class and find out his source, I will make sure that an announcement or email is made to students and I will either confirm or correct the original information that I posted here earlier.

[Ross]

Ganja Magic, I went back and re-read your posting about backpedaling and you are correct. I misread it. You were questioning if the class rep was back pedaling or not. You were not accusing me as I originally thought. In his defense, no, he is not.

Can I suggest that we hold off for just a little while? The person that I talked with is not the same one that addressed the class. (The list of class reps that I received is confusing as to who is the elected rep!) Once I've talked to the person that did address the class and find out his source, I will make sure that an announcement or email is made to students and I will either confirm or correct the original information that I posted here earlier.

[doc4kids2b]

What semester is the studentin who was unfortunatley victimized?
I still have some friends in dominca and am concerned bec i have not been able to contact them since this has happened ?

[Ross]

I have had a chance to talk to the actual first semster class rep. Most of the details that he gave the class agree with what I posted earlier. With the exception of the remark about the thieves being heroin addicts, his information and mine are accurate. There is no evidence to substanitate the claim that they were heroin addicts or high on drugs.

Someone asked where the crime occurred. The apartment is in the area called Chance. It is a "suburb" on the northeast side of Portsmouth and is not densely populated with Ross students.

Although still shaken, the student who was held hostage is in good condition and attending classes again.