As Dominicans grapple with a surge in violent incidents and a lingering sense of unease, Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore took to the podium with a message both candid and measured. Speaking at a national security briefing yesterday, July 14th, 2025, he called not just for action from law enforcement, but for a national consensus on security, responsibility, and trust.
“There is a role for everyone to play in ensuring that we collectively fight against crime and violence in Dominica,” Blackmoore declared, immediately shifting the weight of the issue onto collective shoulders. His statement rejected the notion that crime is solely a police matter and emphasised the importance of public cooperation.
Central to his remarks was the need to move away from reactive crime-fighting strategies. “We have to be able to get ahead of the criminals. The police must not always respond to crime; the police must be in a position to prevent crime from happening,” he said. In doing so, Blackmoore pointed to a reorientation of the state’s approach, one rooted in intelligence, not just presence.
Yet, a shift in policing strategy cannot succeed without public trust, something Blackmoore openly acknowledged. “We need the public to cooperate. We need people to trust the police,” he stated plainly. This was more than a request, it was an appeal grounded in the reality that information withheld can cost lives.
He also addressed criticism directed at law enforcement by clarifying that misconduct by a few should not cloud the reputation of the entire force. “A rogue officer cannot be the face of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force,” Blackmoore asserted. It was a clear attempt to distance the broader institution from isolated wrongdoings, while still acknowledging that accountability matters.
Throughout the briefing, his tone remained firm but inclusive, stressing that the restoration of security could not happen without a united effort. “Let us work together. Let us have faith in each other. Let us support each other,” he urged. These lines formed the heart of his message, security is not only enforced; it is built, daily, through trust and civic partnership.
Blackmoore’s call was not theatrical or laced with blame. It was a public plea for unity and shared duty, grounded in realism and national concern. For a country shaken by fear, but not defeated, his words mark a renewed effort to confront the problem with openness and shared resolve.
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