Dominica opposition has ‘grave concerns’ over island’s murder rate

[Note from editorial staff: WIC News attempted to run a story on this subject earlier but repeated emails to the UWP address (as listed on their site) and their leader Lennox Linton (provided by the UWP Facebook page) went unanswered.]

The executive of the United Workers Party has expressed what it described as “very grave concerns” over the recent spate of murders in Dominica.

In a release, the UWP said it is also concerned about “the general rise in violent crimes which have been committed across the island within the first six months of this year.”

“While not wanting to apportion blame, this untenable situation has made it extremely necessary to determine where the true causes for that increase lie,” the statement said.

The opposition party identifies weak and ineffective policing, inadequate prosecution services, forensic capability and/or capacity, unemployment and/or underemployment, and a general poor leadership example in adhering to the rule of law as the reason for criminal behaviour.

“This situation has significantly affected and is negatively impacting the sense of security of every citizen and visitor in Dominica,” the UWP said.

“The executive questions whether there exists a policing plan that is being implemented, which drives the daily operations of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police; if such a plan does not exist then why not.”

The party is now calling on the government to address the matter urgently.

“In light of the seriousness of the situation, the UWP calls on the Roosevelt Skerrit-led administration to urgently address the issue, with a view to reinstating the confidence of citizens and that of investors in the economy in their personal and national security.”

A total of 13 murders has been reported on the island so for 2017.

The most recent was the death of Glen Alphonse, who was shot and killed in a bus in Eggleston on 5 July.