Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has outlined seven measures to counter a surge in gun violence across Dominica, ranging from law enforcement operations to public engagement and infrastructure investment.
The centrepiece is a new firearms unit embedded within the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, tasked with pursuing those who possess, move or deploy illegal weapons. The operation will draw on resources from the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Branch, Canine Unit, Customs and Excise, Dominica Coast Guard and National Joint Intelligence Centre, with support from regional partners as needed.
Citizens are being invited to report illegal firearms or suspicious behaviour through a confidential telephone line. Anyone whose tip leads to the recovery of an illegal firearm or ammunition will receive 1,000 EC dollars, with anonymity guaranteed.
The Government is also offering a time-limited window for people holding illegal firearms or ammunition to hand them over to police without facing prosecution. Separately, surveillance cameras will begin rolling out across the country, with Roseau as the first location. Police have been instructed to step up visible patrols on foot and by vehicle in the capital and nationwide.
To speed up convictions in firearms cases, the state will hire a dedicated prosecutor. The Government has also banned heavy window tinting on rental vehicles, following police advice that most recent crimes involved tinted rental cars.
Skerrit stressed that public cooperation is essential. "Fighting crime must be seen as a societal responsibility," he said. He pledged to maintain regular contact with the Chief of Police and to intensify enforcement efforts in the days ahead.
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