Twenty-one illegal firearms have been recovered in Dominica so far this year, National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has disclosed, as the government moves to strengthen public safety systems on the island.
Speaking at the launch of the Missing Person Alert System on Monday, Blackmoore said the haul included four rifles and two shotguns. The remaining weapons were not detailed, but the figures point to the continued presence of unlicensed guns in communities across the country.
The Minister used the occasion to underline the link between illegal weapons and violent crime, noting that the recovery of firearms is a priority for law enforcement. The launch of the Missing Person Alert System is itself part of a wider effort to improve how authorities respond to cases involving missing residents.
Details of where the firearms were seized, and whether any arrests have followed, were not immediately provided. The Minister’s disclosure at a public event signals that the government intends to keep the issue of illegal arms before the public as part of its national security agenda.
Illegal firearms remain a concern across the Eastern Caribbean, where small island states face the challenge of weapons trafficked through porous borders and maritime routes. For Dominica, a country of roughly 70,000 people, each recovered weapon represents both a success for the police and a reminder of the work still to be done.
The Missing Person Alert System launched on Monday is expected to allow authorities to circulate information quickly when someone is reported missing, using channels that reach the public in real time. Officials have not yet outlined the full operational details of the system, but its introduction follows calls for faster and more coordinated responses in such cases.
Blackmoore’s announcement comes as the government continues to invest in crime-fighting measures, including support for the Dominica Police Force and community-based initiatives. The recovery of 21 illegal firearms in under a year is a significant figure for a small island, and it is likely to feature in future discussions on national security.
The Minister did not say how the figures compare with previous years, nor did he indicate whether the weapons were linked to any specific incidents. He also did not announce new penalties or legislative changes in relation to firearms offences.
For residents, the disclosure is a reminder that illegal guns are present in the country, even as the authorities report progress in taking them off the streets. The government has repeatedly urged the public to cooperate with the police by reporting suspicious activity and surrendering unlicensed weapons.
Monday’s launch event was attended by officials involved in emergency response and public safety. The Missing Person Alert System is expected to complement existing mechanisms such as the Office of Disaster Management’s warning systems and police public appeals.
Further updates on both the firearms recoveries and the new alert system are expected in the coming weeks. Dominica 1 will report verified details as they are released by the relevant authorities.
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