Gun control - Int’l consultant hired to help stem flow of weapons

Gun control policy to address imports, exports and transshipment

BY COREY ROBINSON Observer staff reporter robinsonc@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

GOVERNMENT has sought the help of an international expert to develop a national policy to stem the flow of small arms into the island — the prevalence of which has been blamed for the country's year-to-year high murder rate.

The consultant, a woman whose identity has not been disclosed, began her six-month contract on June 9 and will also look at legislation on explosives and all firearms.

National Security Minister Dwight Nelson made the disclosure yesterday during a joint press conference with United States Army General Douglas Fraser at his ministry in New Kingston.

“We have engaged the services of an international consultant with wide and vast experience in the area of small arms policy, who will develop new approaches to the control of small arms whether legally or illegally,” Nelson said. “[They will also] look at amending our laws, address anything relating to armament, explosives, etc.”

Meantime, Woodrow Smith, technical advisor in the ministry with responsibility for implementing the gun control programme, declined to disclose the consultant’s fees, only divulging that she “came well recommended”.

“This individual has worked with a number of international bodies. She is from an entity, the Small Arms Survey, a graduate institute based in Geneva, Switzerland... and has also worked with the UN disarmament unit,” he said.

“The objective is to ensure a level of control within the society so that we can eliminate, as far as possible, crime and violence related to gun use; and at the same time, those control measures will also include the question of [dealing with] importation, exportation, transshipment,” he explained.

Smith also listed as part of the consultant’s responsibilities, the assessment of security operations at the island’s ports in keeping with international standards, stock management within law enforcement agencies, and a review of the Firearms and Gunpowder Acts.

In 2008, the United Nations Children Fund and the UNFPA called for steppedup efforts to stem the trafficking of illegal guns to Jamaica, noting that “gun control combined with long-term social interventions are critical to curb the armed violence” that has permeated the country.

Yearly crime statistics show that illegal guns have been featured in the majority of homicide cases.

The Government has for years been pleading with the United States to address the high number of weapons flowing illegally into the island from that country. According to the most recent Small Arms Survey, most firearms seized in Jamaica are traced back to three counties in Florida, “all of which have large Jamaican populations”.

“Most small arms used in crimes are believed to have entered the country illegally, but much of the ammunition appears to have entered the country legally before being transferred to illicit markets,” noted the survey.

These weapons are smuggled into the island in television sets, refrigerators, barrels, and motor vehicles, among other items.

Last year alone, 674 illegal guns were taken off the nation’s streets.

Yesterday, General Fraser said that he was not authorised to speak on the issue but said his visit was a demonstration of the co-ordinated approach needed to address drugrelated crimes in North America and the Caribbean.

“We share a very close partnership with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF)... focusing on what I consider the biggest concern that we have throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America; a non-traditional military threat,” he said.

“It’s a great privilege to be here, and there is nothing better than being able to talk to one another face-to-face in an effort to address these issues,” he said.

In addition to meeting with the national security minister, General Fraser met with Prime Minister Bruce Golding and visited the headquarters of the JDF. He departed the island yesterday evening.

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COMMENTS (27)

Cindy Lee
8/10/2011

Way to go govt *2 thumbs up*. Spend some more of Jamaicans hard earned money on yet another “international consultant” to “help curb crime”. I mean, Mark Shield, Les Green et al have all proven their worth of our money undoubtedly, haven’t they? kmt

mike brown
8/10/2011

@tickyticky fish ....What Jamaica needs is a Minister of Anti-corruption ........lol.......sounds funny but its true

critical thinker
8/10/2011

The World Order EU is really a dragon with many heads. Look how they according to their Caribbean plan is making Jamaica the 'model' subjugated country---- economic privatization by their multinationals (including toll roads), human rights neo-colonial deception, and now true to form--- disarming law abiding citizens. Look how the most highly armed NATO countries making it illegal (globally) for other countries to have what they have. They did this to Libya in 2003, then destroy Libya in 2011.

Yhan Yhan
8/10/2011

I think it is an embarrassment to the entire Ministry of Security, to parliament and the JDF that we need to hire someone from half-way around the world who has never lived a day of their life in Jamaica under "normal" conditions, to come here to tell us what laws to change/implement in order to curb our WELL-KNOWN problems. So, we milk the dry bones of tax-payers to pay fat gov. salaries then we further milk them to pay huge consultancy fees to do the job that our law makers should be doing?

R- Cool
8/10/2011

Maybe by ROBBINGof the DIPLOMAT was a blessing in DISQUISE unfortunately. Now this might draw more INTEREST by the American Security Council to help RID, or minimize the GUNS running from their COUNTRY to the SHORES of the Caribbean.
And for some UNKNOWN reason . America's only INTEREST shown in JA. Is whenever the JLP is in POWER. The reason for this i cant say. Maybe some blogger may be able to address this!
As long as Politicians,and buisness people, embraces ,Dons nd Area Ldrs=PROBLEMS

robert chang
8/10/2011

We have tried aggressively to stem gun flow in this country, but even more guns are reaching our shores? Could it be that you're using the aggression on the wrong set or same set of people? Why not search the elites of Jamaica? they are the ones that have the money to quitely run the big gun shipments. Go uptown cherry gardens, forest hill gates, red hills, where the big spenders are, im sure you'll be very surprised to know how involved they are.

Rick Ross
8/10/2011

i think this is just a knee jerk reaction to the x6 killings and other incidents committed by legal fire arm holders, there is no way they can regulate the illegal gun trade, this is just a way to take away the rights of law abiding citizens, if criminals cared about your policies we would not have crime.

R Oaches
8/10/2011

“[They will also] look at amending our laws ... ".
It really gawn dat bad Dwight ? I thought only Jamaican lawmakers could "amend" the laws of Jamaica ?

Concern Jamaican
8/10/2011

I would also welcome an investigation followed by a comprehensive report as to how these guns are entering our shores, who are the persons bringing these guns into the country and for whom. If PNP is responsible bring them to book, if JLP is responsible bring them to book is no P is responsible bring whomever to book.

Concern Jamaican
8/10/2011

Is this transparency? My question exactly, how come the opposition and the people of this country weren’t told this? Why the secrecy? If this person is one who does this for other countries why can’t her name be disclosed and why can’t the people know how much this is going to cost the country. Then they have the nerves to blame Peter Phillips. While I welcome the move I believe the people of this country has a right to know, especially when it is a cost to the country.

Sonia Ellis
8/10/2011

The govt complains about paying the civil servants their money but they find money to hire international unnamed person. Where the money coming from to pay this person. When the US tried to get Dudus who was importing guns to the island we know what the government involvement was in that case. They had to defend his rights. I think they need a competent Minister not any outsider. When this person tells them what to do will they still defend the rights of the persons caught importing the guns

Froggy D
8/10/2011

Mr Minister let tell what will come of this. Nothing! All the recomendation from this expert small arms consultant will not be implemented by you or anyone else. She knows as much as you know about the gun traficking in Jamaica, and she will give you the same conclusions, like, tell the Americans to tighten up their gun laws. And in the mean time you can use our existing laws to control the flow of gus in your own country. Who is going to pay anyway? The time is too hard for that hire.

D T
8/10/2011

I was having a bad day until I read this article, this is a joke. If this consultant makes recommendations the govt will not implement them so why hire her. Why is her name a secret, we need to know so we can do our own research to see if this person is qulified. This lady could be just a person they are giving money we dont have so they can get kickbacks. to stop or reduce crime we have to go to the head, lets start with the govt, an aduit and investigation should be done on all in govt

Rain Water
8/10/2011

Did the government consult us the citizens on this before rushing off to employ a foreign consultant who no doubt will be quite expensive? We could have provided the answers free of cost

Meat Head
8/10/2011

We have targeted illegal guns since I was a boy, with the setting up of the Gun Court, and the result is even more illegal guns on the street. It is time to be more aggressive targeting the money used to buy the guns and corrupt the officials. If Mr. Nelson is to be serious, there should be more prosecutions for tax evasion and more asset seizures. He shouldn't need a consultant to tell him the obvious.

tickyticky fish
8/10/2011

Jamaica can't control gun corruption what kind of an independent country is this? why have an army?

Nejeeper KNG
8/10/2011

@ tickyticky fish yes the govt know how guns are coming into the Island. We are talking so much about cutbacks but we have money to pay someone to come on a six-month vacation. This is a joke because this person will returned home well tanned and glowing and nothing will change. Nothing will change until we take our own bull by the horns. This is a J’can problem and yes we need help but there should be a limit; we are not idiots.

Nejeeper KNG
8/10/2011

If the J’can coast guards are ineffective in combating illegal vessels getting in and out of JA what are they getting paid for? We need better control of our ports. These guns need ammo which base on the article the ammo are mostly legal; “much of the ammunition appears to have entered the country legally before being transferred to illicit markets,” This seems like something that will mostly affect legal gun owners. Narco-terrorists, gun-runners, sympathizers are a part of both parties JLPNP.

Nejeeper KNG
8/10/2011

I don’t understand why the person’s identity is not disclosed (top secret using taxpayer money) to the public. Why are we outsourcing such position? We don’t need anyone from the US to tell us what our problems are and how to solve them. The NRA is a powerful organization in the US which fights for the right to own a gun. “The control of small arms whether legally or illegally,” Nelson said. Now if illegal guns are responsible for most homicide shouldn’t we target illegal guns?

2kool .
8/10/2011

No matter how many laws we implement it will never work until we take a zero-tolerance approach that will drive fear into the heart of anyone who even thinks of picking up a gun.

tickyticky fish
8/10/2011

Suh di fool fool licky licky people dem who inna government a hire a high powered gun consultant who is nameless and should be named because it is taxpayers' money is paying the bills, The government already knew how the guns are coming in the Island, so why hire a consultant to tell them what they already knew. What Jamaica needs is a Minister of Anti-corruption

Meat Head
8/10/2011

The outlines of the gun problem are simple, at least to meat heads. Cash from the drug trade is the engine that purchases guns and corrupt officials. Therefore, to do something about guns and corruption we must get the the illegal drug money out of the system. Confiscating the assets of convicted drug criminals is a good start. We must also become more aggressive in targeting and prosecuting tax evaders. Force criminals to leave the money overseas where it is less likely to cause harm here.

RED ANTS
8/10/2011

We have seen US boats and planes in our water and airspace but what is been done with guns coming out of US ports.The JCF once reported 70% of the guns entering JA come through US ports,did anyone bring this up with the general,or should we wait on wikileaks to tell us? well at the least US new new a man who importing the guns and got him but i would prefer the gun stop before it reaches JA.

RED ANTS
8/10/2011

Who is this secret agent woman? A US official was rob recently over in St.Andrew recently,so we can imagine our name gone aboard.If the general cannot speak of these issues,what was the purpose of his visit? Nelson said he did not know Dudus was a don,who will he know?I have notice the ship rider agreement that was sign between JA and the US on guns control from the US have gone under the carpet,that's the same agreement that gave the US the powers to partol our waters.

Chuck Emanuel
8/10/2011

The message from the U.S. General Fraser is very clear. Stem corruption, Narco-trafficking and Gun-running !.
Poor Mr Nelson, who had said he never heard of Dudus, is way over his head in this job. He needs to consult with Dr Phillips on the methodology of how to go about ascertaining real cooperation from the U.S in flushing out narco-terrorists, gun-runners, sympathisers and those who aids and abets them.

Paul Gentles
8/10/2011

If or when they find who is responsible is this person empowered to take action? or is this persons job just to play cat and mouse by trying to close loop holes? Looks like another waste of public resources for the sake of PR. Why not just get a competent MofNS, let all at ports do a lie detector test with heavy jail sentences for those corrupted to turn a blind eye to illegal importation of goods.

wanda woeman
8/10/2011

Why did he not meet with the Opposition? Is this not the usual procedure? Aren't we all in this together?
The govt needs to tell us how long this woman will be in JA and also whether she will be understudied so that when she goes we can do our own thing.
Please Min, we know the cost of these consultants so we should strive to not keep her longer than necessary and get the optimum value for our money.
Hope something will be put in place for when the weapon of choice turns to the machete.

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Gun control - Int’l consultant hired to help stem flow of weapons