New Government must stand firm against crime

Monday, January 09, 2012

News that 30 people have been murdered in the first week of the year has confirmed something Jamaicans already knew — that the decline in violent criminality registered over the past year and a half should not be taken for granted.

In that respect we are heartened by the speedy response from the newly appointed Minister of National Security Mr Peter Bunting as well as from the Police High Command.

As we would expect from any National Security Minister who proposes to take his job seriously, Mr Bunting met with Police Commissioner Owen Ellington and Jamaica Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Major General Antony Anderson within hours of being sworn, to pledge his "full support" and assert his commitment to the anti-crime fight.

Jamaicans will welcome the new Minister's proclaimed intention to send "a strong message to hoodlums who seem intent on disrupting and destroying lives" and that "this administration will respond decisively to any increase in criminality".

Mr Bunting is aware, we are sure, that Jamaicans will be watching closely to see how his actions back up his words.

The minister needs no one to tell him that the goodwill currently being enjoyed by the new People's National Party (PNP) government will very quickly unravel if crime is perceived yet again to be soaring out of control.

We may argue and disagree about the real reasons but the fact is that crime figures declined substantially in the final third of the Jamaica labour Party (JLP) administration starting with the State of Emergency in mid-2010.

Damaging assessments of this government relative to the previous administration will be inevitable if the current surge in murders is not speedily stemmed.

The Police have said that the murder spike was primarily concentrated in sections of St Catherine, St Thomas, St Andrew, and Clarendon - areas which we know to be infested by criminal gang activity.

As we said back then, this newspaper regrets that the 2010 State of Emergency was not extended in a bid to weaken if not eradicate these gangs as was achieved in West Kingston and related areas.

But there's no point to crying over spilt milk. Utilising the powers available to them, the security forces must press ahead with all relevant operations aimed at the ultimate destruction of gang activity.

In their own self interest, citizens should see it as their responsibility to cooperate fully with the police as they conduct stop-and-search activities, spot checks and curfews.

Further, law abiding citizens must welcome the security forces in their communities. It is well known that criminals drift away when police and soldiers are around and thrive in their absence.

Very importantly, all Jamaicans who find themselves in a position to do so, should by whatever means available, provide the police with information that can assist in the capturing of criminals and the curtailment of crime.

Fighting crime is a job for all of us.

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COMMENTS (16)

Chipmunk L.
1/23/2012

It should be common sense for the public to realize that they need to help the J.C.F in combating crime in Jamaica. The J.C.F needs also to improve it's image in the eyes of the public ensuring the people of Jamaica that they are a proud organization willing to protect and serve the oath they took.
If we work together we can change the dynamics of life in Jamaica for the better. We all know the criminals, now we have to join in getting rid of them in our neighborhoods.
It has to be done folks

Edward Andrade
1/23/2012

The commissioner of police is doing a good job. The goverment must put things in place to control the social issues, at the same time rooting out the DOGHEART gangs weather connected toJLP, PNP or no P.The government must not be afraid to put theSOE in place for as long as nessary to let the crimminal gangs know they are not with them.Good people will understand and co operate. A lot more good things will begin to fall in place. Remember crime and corruption work together.

Ever Dunk
1/14/2012

Crime will escalate, the pals will be protected, people will be untouchable. we all know this. the PNP does have have the will to fight crime impartially ( principal no waan beat fi him pickney) I have seen this all my life and this will return as its the same faces in charge again.

Pat Dempsey
1/11/2012

This current party more than any other, is known for blatant corruption and degradation of Jamaican's economy. Both Party have Criminal elements, however, the current party believes in entitlement and appeals to those who wishes not to work for a dollar. When you see people living in some of the "Garrisons" with 5 flat screen, the latest gadgets, and then do not want to pay for light and water, having 6-7 children and crying about poverty, yet it is not addressed by the "leaders".Crime increases

Pat Dempsey
1/11/2012

I'm not sure many of you have been in Jamaica recently, but many of those hoodlums DO NOT WANT TO WORK. It is easier to prey on the hard working people and take their earnings. What Mr. Holeness eluded to, Eliminating the free mentality, cost him the election. That free mentality enslaves the people and has been used for years now in securing votes. Also, as previously said "Until Corrupted political leaders are prosecuted" Crime will continue to fester. This current party more than any other

Joy McKenzie
1/10/2012

One of the biggest ways to reduce the crime rate is to get people working and making a decent living. Jamaica must look to new industries. The Hemp industry is a growing industry that would put 90% of Jamaica's unemployed back to work. Let us be a leader in the world as the biggest producers of Hemp products. We have the land and we have the people. This is a legitimate and legal product that can bring Jamaica out of its economic crisis. 21st Century Farming is the way to go...

Sonny Black
1/9/2012

The fight against crime will only be effective when the Laws are changed to Laws that will punish Criminals. Why should criminals fear the Law when if they are aprehended Gunmen are fined and given suspended sentences, rapists and Murderers are given few yrs.Imagine a child was raped beaten buried and left for dead yet the monster was caught and given 12 yrs. With the present laws criminals laugh at it because it is simply a sick Joke. The problem is not the criminals but us who are blind.

howie J
1/9/2012

The economic growth which Mr. Manley enjoyed in the early 1990s was the tail end or momentum of the growth which started under Seaga government in the 1980s. Manley didn’t have to do a thing for Jamaica to realize that growth. Similarly, the reduction of crime under Mr. Golding happened inspite of the JLP resistance to change. The reduction of crime was the direct result of the earlier alliance between Peter Phillips and the U.S. It is no accident that the reduction came directly after Dudus was extradited. This commissioner had no choice but to go with the flow.

2kool .
1/9/2012

I say bring back the state of emergency. In Trinidad they had an island wide state of emergency for 3 straight months followed by a limited soe for an additional 2 months. According to our own Asst Comm of Police Les Green there are over 6,000 guns out there. We need to get these off the streets.

Nejeeper KNG
1/9/2012

Crime remains the most significant issue affecting JA yet there is this walk in the park approach form the PNP. They came up with more reason to stop the SOE than to continue even though it was effective and could have turn around the grim reality. There were no support for the proposed garrison walk and there is no mention of garrison in any of PSM speeches. How can we address what we don’t recognize? The Diaspora wants to play a more active role in JA but crime has been the main problem.

David Armstrong
1/9/2012

And by the way it is not just crime that the govt need to stand firm on. Corruption is another serious problem that has eroded the foundation that the country is trying to build on. Your editorial did not even mention the word corruption which is related to crime and probably responsible for creating a climate that is conducive to crime.

David Armstrong
1/9/2012

You would think that any govt. running a country where crime is prevalent and out of control would know this. I believe that this editorial should have gone a bit further in stating measures that the govt. needs to implement if they are going to stand firm against crime. If we are going to slove the many problems that afflict JA then the media and people need to help the govt. shape policies. Simply standing on the sidelines and offering a critique is not going to help the situation.

dudley campbell
1/9/2012

Social structure in our country has crumbled, lawlessness prevail on a major scale, suggested solutios, Tougher jail sentence on crimes, reinstate capital punishment, mandatory youth service corp for all Jamaicans, 17 + or high school seniors, mandatory armed forces service for all citizens 17+ year or older not in school or vocational training, increase police presence in crime invested area, rebuild the family structure by creating and encourage social group empowerment.

N Manley Blythe
1/9/2012

We have not changed Police Commissioner nor police operational procedures. What has changed? We changed government from JLP led to PNP led, so spike? Something is really really wrong somewhere! SOE NOW!
Politicians must meet and talk. Politicians must go to prison! Where are the million dollar rewards for information leading to the prosecution of corruption?
Yes change to Republic, rewrite the constitution to enable the enforcement of effective accountability standards. AG must be non-political!

Jay Brown
1/9/2012

The PNP has never done well fighting crime, however I do hope all that change this time around. I believe the increase is due to the fact that we were effectively without a government for one week and hoodlums made us of this break.
What is clear however is there are many guns out there ready to " tun up d ting" at any point in time and the cops must be relentless in getting these and do more to prevent more from coming in.

fall mouth
1/9/2012

The Observer says that the minister needs no one to tell him that "the goodwill currently being enjoyed by the new People's National Party (PNP) government will very quickly unravel if crime is perceived yet again to be soaring out of control.".
Others who do not wish the new administration well, knows this also.

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New Government must stand firm against crime