Inspired, committed leadership needed to fight crime
THE long, hot summer is at its zenith and, as if in step with the heat, Jamaicans are being buffeted from every side by socio-economic calamities.
The ongoing economic depression means an increasing number of people are struggling to put food on the table and meet routine day-to-day expenses. Many, many more have no idea how they will meet back-to-school expenses.
As this newspaper has pointed out repeatedly in this space, the situation has become much worse in recent weeks because of the upsurge in crime.
The demoralising effect of people living in constant fear of gun-slinging men is bad enough by itself.
But let's make no mistake about it, the negative effects of violent crime on the economy at the individual, community and national levels is very real and far-reaching.
The economic revival Jamaicans are hoping for will not materialise if the country continues to be among the global leaders in criminal activity, especially murder and gun-related incidents. Potential investors can't be blamed for taking their money to places where crime is under control; where they, their families, their employees, their customers/clients can live and operate -- confident in the capacity of the State to protect life, limb and property. In that respect, the incredible sacrifices Jamaicans are being asked to make to satisfy economic targets set by last-chance multilateral lender, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will fail if criminals are not brought to heel.
As the situation now stands, those on the front line of the war against criminals are paying a terrible price. The recent murders of two police personnel in West Kingston provide chilling testimony.
How is the society to support the chronically understaffed police force to fight heartless evil? Obviously more personnel and material resources will help. Stronger anti-crime legislation and crucially rigorous execution of laws will help.
However, it seems to this newspaper — and we have said it many times — that the most sustainable way is to so organise communities that it becomes easier for individuals and groups to support the police. The available evidence is clear: In most well-organised communities with strong citizens' associations, youth groups and neighbourhood watch groups crime is low.
Criminals routinely prey on communities that are disorganised.
As the situation now stands, far too many communities are leaderless, unfocused, even dysfunctional, and the destructive 'informer fi dead' culture prevails. The situation is crying out for our political leaders, the elect of the people, to come to the fore in partnership with the Social Development Commission (SDC) as well as local civic, business and religious leaders to help people to organise and represent themselves.
Jamaica's elected representatives, not least Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Opposition Leader Andrew Holness, must join hands in helping communities to organise, build anti-crime capacity, and to move in step with the police. It must be a vigorous, upbeat, sustained campaign.
Much else that is good, apart from the anti-crime drive, will flow from such an initiative.
We are aware of the difficulty of bipartisan action with parliamentary elections fast approaching. But if Jamaicans are to deal with crime, then their elected leaders must lead the way. Crucially, Jamaicans in every way possible must demand such leadership.
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