CHIEF Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Orville London, expressed concern only recently about the kind of coverage being given to crime in Tobago and the impact this may be having on the image of the island.

Mr London’s concerns may well be legitimate, but there simply is no getting around the reality that the island is being blighted by such incidents.

The crime upsurge cannot be ignored despite the absolutely gracious approach of the British couple who sent a letter of assurance to the Minister of Tourism and to the THA about their undying love and affection for the island and its people even after the vicious attack they suffered in early August.

The killing and burying of a German, whose body was found in a shallow grave last Saturday, is the latest setback to the kind of damage control the THA chief and indeed all right-minded citizens think necessary in these circumstances.

Bringing the number of murders on the island to 11 for this year so far, this latest incident also flies in the face of the attempts by the police to demonstrate that they have the situation well under control.

After every such major crime, the police pledge to take stronger measures, to increase patrols and to maintain a more visible presence in what they themselves identify as vulnerable areas.

The discovery of the body of the German at what was his home in Bacolet Crescent does indeed present a new feature to the murder picture in Tobago. It suggests that criminals are employing even more grisly methods of perpetrating these offences, further fouling the environment in which all concerned must respond.

Sensing that he was indeed in some danger, with death threats having been issued to him, the man was reportedly in the process of making arrangements to leave Tobago for good.

That he was a German-the nationality that has had such a long and deeply ingrained association with Tobago-is bound to send further shock waves through that community many of whom have shared their hitherto wonderful experiences with others who have been making regular trips to Tobago.

Much work is going to be needed to continue the repair job on the island’s image occasioned by this and the other serious offences.

But the multiplier effect of another gruesome incident such as this on the island’s profile cannot be underestimated, no matter what the manner of the media coverage may be, no matter what means may be employed to colour the presentation.