No cause for celebration - PM says more has to be done

Three firms give $6 million for rebuilding of police station

Saturday, August 28, 2010

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding says despite the reported reduction in all major crimes committed between June and August, there is still much more work to be done.

Speaking at the handing over of funds by three corporate entities for the restoration of the Darling Street Police Station in downtown Kingston on Thursday, Golding said while he was "cautiously optimistic" about further reductions in crime, in light of the decrease, inclusive of the 45 per cent decline in murders up to August 22, there was no cause for celebration.

"I have urged them (police commissioner and chief of defence staff) to do everything possible to ensure that we can sustain that effort. We used to look at 150 murders a month... that was the monster that had to be confronted and tamed. For the months of June, July and now into August, we're looking more at 80 to 90 per month. What I said to them is that 80 to 90 is now the new monster that has to be tamed," the prime minister said.

While acknowledging that crime cannot be totally eliminated, Golding stressed that Jamaica was still a far way from attaining what can be considered "a tolerable level of crime". In this regard, he said the restoration of the Darling Street station will contribute significantly to the effort.

The station was among several buildings and facilities, inclusive of the Hannah Town Police Station and the Coronation Market, which sustained damage during May's unrest in West Kingston when the security forces battled gunmen said to be loyal to former Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

National Commercial Bank (NCB), LIME, and Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) have provided $6 million to undertake restoration of the Darling Street Police Station.

The initiative was spearheaded by NCB, which sought to mobilise financial assistance to execute the undertaking, through corporate partnership with LIME and SVL, following discussions with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

NCB's Group Managing Director Patrick Hylton; managing director, customer segments, LIME, Garfield Sinclair; and SVL Chairman Paul Hoo, each presented cheques for $2 million to Prime Minister Golding, who is also Member of Parliament for West Kingston, and National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson.

Prime Minister Golding, in expressing gratitude for the entities' input, pointed out that the funds will cover a substantial portion of the cost to restore the station, adding that the gesture represents the kind of private/public sector partnership on which Jamaica's future "is going to depend".

Golding pointed out that the station is a pivotal part of the JCF's network serving that section of Kingston, and which includes those at Denham Town, City Centre and Hannah Town.

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COMMENTS (14)

mark jones
8/28/2010

Bill Bowen you are as naive as they come!

vivian stephenson
8/28/2010

Carlos Bryson, go sit down one side. Bashing the PM will not solve the crime problem. The PM is doing an excellent job. The opposition ignored crime fighting for 18 years. Bruce blundered in his defense of Dudus, he made a big mistake; now we need to move on. The opposition made innumerable blunders over their interim. Stop politicking, and come on board in showing support for the fight against crime initiative that is being undertaken by this present government. Stop undermining the effort.

Kwame T
8/28/2010

Dispite all the major set backs, this PM is better than Portia and PJ when it comes to running this country. Mr PM you and your team are doing a wonderful job. From Agriculture to Tax collection is better under Mr Golding.

justice justice
8/28/2010

Bruce, I hold u responsible for this.

PL BOGLE
8/28/2010

@ Desmond Nembhard "Celebrate when the monster no longer existed" with who the PM? they are the mothers of all monsters they breed them all the politicians trust me, so dont be FOOLED!

Desmond Nembhard
8/28/2010

I'm with you PM Golding. We shall celebrate when the monster no longer existed. In reality we all know that's not possible. Therefore, the fight by the security forces and the support for them from all angles Must go on. Let make this monster comes to being vanished as close as possible.

Nejeeper KNG
8/28/2010

The possibilities are endless when the private sector and the gov can come together. Now can they come together for a gun amnesty? There are too many guns in JA, and while a certain level of SF presence will curtail crime; it is the guns in the hands of the killers that is the real issue. Social intervention will be a key factor in the change we are looking for. Where there is poverty there is criminality and corruption. What are the alternatives for the youth? We have to provide viable options.

David Armstrong
8/28/2010

It seems like the Observer is not taking any comments on this news. Maybe too much harsh criticism coming in or maybe the PMs office is reining in the Observer...just wondering.

barry brown
8/28/2010

Step aside Bruce you should be impeach for what you have done to JA.

Bill Bowen
8/28/2010

Well Said Our Crime Chief, Keep up the good work, and please continue to ignore detractors and continue riddng the country of corruption,focus on the peoples business.
We who put you there will ensure you stay there untill the job is done..
Thanks

David Armstrong
8/28/2010

The PM says that despite the reported reduction in all major crimes committed between June and August, there is still much more work to be done and that he has urged them (police commissioner and chief of defence staff) to do everything possible to ensure that we can sustain that effort. My question is this: Has the PM done everything he possible can do to fight violent crime, to disarm the thugs who roam the island killing people, and to purge the political system of corruption? From my vantage point I don’t think so. .Mere words alone from is not going to cut it, actions must be implemented. And before some idiot think I am bashing the JLP this also applies to the PNP. They are all a bunch of incompetent deceivers.

Duncan Bertram
8/28/2010

Celebrate? What are we going to celebrate? The invasion and death of over 70 Jamaicans? The destruction of properties by the JLP admin. or by the JLP supporting Shower posse? Any which way we look at it, all the damages and deaths were caused by JLP association. Bruce Golding looking at the burnt out building speaks a 1000 words.So dont try to make us believe he and his TG supportes are not the cause of the problems we face as a nation.

george watson
8/28/2010

This drop in crime including murders would have come much sooner, if Dudus had been extradited before, thus dismantling a criminal empire.
I think this has given the police added incentive to go after the criminals too, knowing that they are not up against a criminal network.
It is no use the pm taking credit for anything since the police have been given no new tools to work with.
Where I live we have stopped reporting certain crimes since the police never have vehicles to respond.

Carlos Bryson
8/28/2010

Be careful of men who speak with forked tongue. "Tolerable level of crime" What do you mean? Pick pocket, larceny, rape, corruption or the mayhem being perpetrated on the Jamaican people? Your goal should be the elimination of crime not "tolerable" level. That kind of thinking dis-qualifies you for further leadership of my country sir.

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No cause for celebration - PM says more has to be done