In a dramatic response to escalating violence in Haiti’s Northwest region, Port-de-Paix Government Commissioner Jéir Pierre has established and personally commands an armed security militia, marking an unconventional approach to combating rampant lawlessness. This development emerges amid deteriorating security conditions that have plagued the region since late December, characterized by surging armed robberies, violent assaults, and sexual attacks.
Commissioner Pierre, expanding beyond his traditional judicial responsibilities, now directs nightly patrol operations through a specially formed brigade composed of local residents. While officials claim coordination with Haitian National Police (PNH) units, this militia operates under the prosecutor’s direct authority rather than police command structure—raising questions about legal oversight and accountability.
The security model relies on community members selected for their intimate knowledge of local terrain and potential suspects. Financing originates from resident donations and diaspora contributions, creating an informal funding mechanism similar to that implemented by Commissioner Jean Ernest Muscadin in Miragoâne. Pierre defended the arrangement, stating, ‘The people who believe in this project did not want to leave me alone. They help cover basic costs so agents can carry out their functions.’
Initial results suggest some effectiveness, with nighttime commerce gradually resuming in certain urban centers and residents reporting improved security conditions. However, this approach represents a significant departure from conventional law enforcement methodologies, highlighting the Haitian government’s limited capacity to address security challenges through established institutions.