Dominica plans to launch a national missing person alert system on October 5, with separate alerts for children, vulnerable people, other missing adults, and incidents involving police officers.
National Security and Legal Affairs Minister Rayburn Blackmoore announced the plan at a recent ministry press conference.
According to him, the first hours after a person disappears can be critical. He said the system would allow the public and media to join the search quickly, giving investigators more eyes and ears across the country.
He explained that a pink alert will apply to missing children and minors.
“A separate alert will cover people who may be unable to protect themselves because of a disability or other vulnerability, while a general alert will cover other missing adults,” he stated.
The proposed blue alert will concern an incident involving a serving officer and a person believed to pose a threat who is at large.
Blackmoore said police would establish the protocols and a secure reporting line. He expects the Chief of Police to be informed immediately when a qualifying report is made; designated personnel would then distribute the alert to media outlets.
Participating media houses have agreed to interrupt their regular programming to carry alerts simultaneously, he said. Officials also hope to display photographs on public screens.
Police Chief Lincoln Corbette endorsed the initiative and said the operational rules would be explained at the official launch.
The categories and reporting arrangements announced at the conference remain subject to those detailed protocols.
