Dominica is witnessing a remarkable transformation in public safety, with official data revealing a staggering decline in burglary incidents across the island nation. Deputy Chief of Police Jeoffrey James has officially confirmed this positive trend, attributing the success to a multi-faceted strategy combining community engagement, policing reforms, and technological adoption.
During a recent appearance on the ‘Legal Affairs & You’ program broadcast by State-Owned Radio DBS, Mr. James presented compelling statistics to illustrate this dramatic turnaround. He revealed that while the island recorded over 2,000 burglaries in the mid-1990s, current figures show this number has been drastically reduced to approximately 200 cases annually—representing a decrease of roughly 90%.
‘Burglary was once a very common offense islandwide, not limited to the Roseau area,’ James stated. ‘We have now witnessed a significant decrease in the central districts and across the entire island, with some areas experiencing continuous reductions exceeding 300 percent in certain instances.’
The senior law enforcement official identified several key factors driving this improvement in community safety. The implementation of Community Policing initiatives has fostered greater cooperation between citizens and police authorities, creating a more collaborative approach to crime prevention.
James also highlighted the impact of modern security technology, particularly the widespread adoption of CCTV systems. ‘People are increasingly utilizing cameras and other technological instruments for safety purposes, which significantly aids in both crime detection and offender identification,’ he explained.
Additional contributing factors include successful law enforcement outcomes, with many offenders being investigated, convicted, and incarcerated at the state prison. Natural attrition within criminal circles has also played a role, with some offenders having died or retired from criminal activity due to advanced age.
The increased visible presence of police patrols across communities has further contributed to creating a deterrent effect against potential burglaries, according to the Deputy Chief of Police.