Statement by DFP on rising violent crimes in Dominica

Ensuring public safety and security – reducing crime in our communities

Safety and security are essential components for a better quality of life. Meaningful development cannot be achieved if Dominicans and investors alike feel threatened by what seems to be a breakdown of law & order and if there is a lack of confidence in the relevant institutions to enforce laws to prevent and solve crimes when they occur. Individual security [is threatened]in light of the brazen, horrible and reckless types of criminal activities which have been recently taking place in Dominica. These include a frightening trend of kidnappings, shootings, robberies and resorting to violence to resolve simple conflicts.

To reduce the escalation and the ghastly nature of criminal activity in the country and to ensure public safety, the Dominica freedom party calls for among others:

1. The strengthening of the capability of our law enforcement agencies to effectively police our communities and our territorial waters against drug traffickers and other criminal activities. A specific measure in this regard is the establishment of 24 hour police patrol units in major population areas equipped with the appropriate vehicles and communication facilities. By this is meant reverting to the establishment of the physical presence of police officers particularly on the streets, in the villages and in public places in uniform as well as plain clothes- in other words, return of police on the beat.

2. Budgetary allocations for the training of police detectives in forensic science relating to the solving of crime

3. Establishment of a mini crime lab whilst exploring the possibility of working with regional governments to establish an OECS police crime lab

4. Improvement of the working environment of our police force and ensuring that career mobility is effective and transparent – this includes the construction of police stations instead of the rental of dwelling houses in seven police districts

5. Creation of an anti-corruption unit within the police force which will be equipped with the skills and competencies to intensify the investigation of crime; corrupt practices will be dealt with expeditiously to maintain, honesty, integrity and transparency so that all forms of corrupt practices can be rooted out – this will include the establishment of a Police Complaints Department (PCD) which should be headed by an attorney at law to investigate complaints against the police rather than the existing situation where the police appear to be policing the police

6. Encouragement of the formation of neighbourhood watch groups which will be strengthened through community policing

7. Construction of a drug rehabilitation and vocational training center which will offer rehabilitation programmes so that our young people can obtain the remedial treatment needed to rescue them from a life of drugs and equip them with vocational skills so that they can live constructive lives.

8. Introduce community parenting programs to help parents and communities develop conflict resolution and anger management skills to impart to their children and young persons at an early age

9. Put greater emphasis on health and family life education in the schools, prison and youth outreach programmes

10. Improvement of prison services generally

While crime cannot be entirely wiped out, the Dominica Freedom Party believes that these are just some of the actions which can be taken to significantly reduce crime. Moreover, the DFP believes that firm resolve matched by the appropriate allocation of resources are the prerequisites to fight crime wherever it threatens the safety and security of nationals and visitors.