Following the unfortunate killing of Silver Lake resident Marcus Fagan in Bath Estate, more stringent penalties await firearm offenders. This was made known by the National Security Justice and Immigration Minister, Rayburn Blackmore. Fagan was shot dead by a masked man beside a grocery shop on July 21 according to video footage released by the police.
National Justice Minister Rayburn Blackmore said on DBS Radio that the police is on the track of the killer. He decried the increasing incidence of gun violence in Dominica, saying community policing will take centerstage in his ministry’s agenda once again. He called on members of the public to assist the police in curbing crimes in the communities, adding the police cannot do it alone without public cooperation.
“One death is one too many,” Blackmore said, “At this time, it is imperative that the police have an airtight, flexible, innovative and multi-faceted approach to combating this trend. However, it must be emphasized that the effort to curb violence involving firearms cannot rest on the police alone”.
Citing that gun violence is a societal problem that requires a societal response, Blackmore said the “Community Policing Programme” will be reinvigorated to meet current needs. This initiative seeks to implement community protection plans developed by the police and tailored for each community.
Blackmore further revealed that since youths are more at risk of going into crimes, the Juvenile Justice Programme will be reactivated to nip criminal tendencies in the bud in youths. “I wish to assure the Dominican public that a Juvenile Justice program which will target interventions for youth at risk to prevent their evolution into full-time criminals is well underway,” he said.
The justice minister called on community leaders, spiritual teachers, parents, and every one of influence to take crime prevention as a matter of primary importance.
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