Stop protecting the dons!

Pastor urges citizens to speak out against crime

BY MARK CUMMINGS Observer West senior reporter cummingsm@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, August 19, 2010

SHEFFIELD, Westmoreland — Pastor of the Sheffield Seventh Day Adventist Church Vencott Dyer has blasted citizens who protect area dons and gunmen, saying that they are an evil to God and the nation.

"Today we live in a society where we honour the men who sling the guns and wield the machetes and where honest men are branded as informers, but unless the communities stand up, then this nation will not be better," said Pastor Dyer.

He was delivering the homily at the funeral service for Corporal Omar Duncan, a 15-year veteran who was killed by gunmen last month as he investigated a burglary in the Ramble community in Hanover.

The pastor argued that citizens have made policing difficult because they have refused to speak on criminal activities.

He said it is unfortunate that society tends to remember the names of the dons that are dead but the unsung heroes, such as Corporal Duncan who died in the line of duty are usually forgotten in a matter of weeks or months.

"They simple disappear in oblivion but they die as heroes," he told the mourners.

He challenged the congregation to show respect for the police, arguing that without them the county would be in turmoil.

Pastor Dyer in the meantime also urged the police not to be daunted by the untimely death of their colleague.

"I pray that our officers will not to be discouraged that they will not flinch nor fear but that they will continue to relentlessly pursue all criminal elements in Jamaica land we love," he said.

Meanwhile, the police are yet to make an arrest in the murder of the 35-year-old cop who was stationed at the Ramble Police Station up to the time of his death.

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COMMENTS (14)

Denzel Washington II
8/25/2010

We need to resume hanging or start the use of lethal injections. These should be televised during prime time hour so that all both young and old can see. It is time to send a message to all. God said we should never without the rod and spoil the child. Capital punishment (death) is the only rod for these criminals. Parliament along with the justice dept will have to review qualifications for the death penalty.
Jacqueline is correct, we need to start somewhere and resuming hanging should be now

Jacqueline Samms
8/21/2010

Our elected officials attend the funerals of these criminals, that legitimizes them,and we the citizens find it amusing, we never look at it seriously and with disgust,we keep on voting for them. Politicians conspire with dons to infringe upon the rights of the voting citizens to ensure they have a place in our gov.when Jamaicans start to use their brains instead of cus-cusing we will have a true paradise for WE the PEOPLE, are the PROBLEM.

David Armstrong
8/19/2010

The pastor means well but at this stage only the implementation of tough and extreme measures are going to deter or stop the plague of violent and barbaric crime. If the police have mug shots of these dons and gang leaders from previous offences then these mug shots should be put in the paper or on billboards with the crimes they have been alleged to commit. When you publicly expose a criminal it makes it hard for them to move about freely and commit their crimes. I am sure that these dons and gang leaders are known to the police and to politicians who have garrison constituencies. Mr. Thwaites offered to be an informer perhaps he could start naming some dons and gang leaders.

Nejeeper KNG
8/19/2010

@Queen B what your have describe “when we have our uniform officers using their authority to threaten or kill witnesses because of who the witnesses are making the complaint against” is called CORRUPTION and it is in every SF maybe more so in Jamaica. We cannot wait until there is zero corruption in the SF before us as citizen begins to reclaim our country from vicious killers. Part of the crime fighting strategy should be a focus on how witness are protected and remain unanimous. This 1 editor.

Sonny Black
8/19/2010

First we must stop calling these criminals Dons. A Don is term given to a Spanish/.Italian/ Gentleman. These are Criminals and they should be labelled as the blood thirsty murderers they are. On the other hand i commend this Pastor for his vision and the conviction to say things the way they are and all i can say if Jamaicans are not awakened now to the threats from these parasites and Vampires when will they .

Nejeeper KNG
8/19/2010

@Queen B what your have describing “when we have our uniform officers using their authority to threaten or kill witnesses because of who the witnesses are making the complaint against” is called CORRUPTION and it is in every SF maybe more so in Jamaica. We cannot wait until there is zero corruption in the SF before us as citizen begins to reclaim our country from vicious killers. Part of the crime fighting strategy should be a focus on how witness are protected and remain unanimous. D MINDSET.

Chuck Emanuel
8/19/2010

Also Pastor, protect yourself from those scum-bags while they are currently being hunted like "wild dogs".
Much respect !.

Queen B
8/19/2010

Let us also remember when witnesses give info to the police for some reason or the other they end up dead or harass, who will protect these witnesses when we have our uniform officers using their authority to threaten or kill witnesses because of who the witnesses are making the complaint against. Has anyone forgotten about Kentucky Kid ? We know for a fact he was murdered by a uniform police officer because of his complaint, DPP when will justice be done? Assault on camera & no charge yet, ok.

Nejeeper KNG
8/19/2010

When you see the gruesomeness of the crimes that are being committed it is heartrending to think that they are Jamaicans who are aware of the perpetrators but refuse to say anything. It should not be look at as thrilling to know or to be affiliated with such level of evil yet our society seems to glamorize and in some ways condone these destructive elements.
The mindset is what needs to change the lack of respect for someone’s life until it hits home. The SF is not the problem D criminals R.

Steve Allen
8/19/2010

It is the responsibility of every decent Jamaican to get rid of these criminals, because the same ones you are protecting are the one who will rob and murder you.

The Truth
8/19/2010

Well said indeed.

Nicolas Henry
8/19/2010

Pastor you are so right. I've always wonder why a police killed in the line of duty, isn't recognized as a hero. When a policeman is killed, many times the story isn't even on the front page of the paper. When a DON is killed, the funeral service is held at the National Arena, with many politicians in attendance. This is the reason why when one DON/Gunman is killed, there are many willing to take their places. PREACH it Pastor. The culture in JA must change for us to see a difference in crime.

mike daley
8/19/2010

Yes Pastor Dyer! That message needs to be repeated and amplified ad nauseam..Till we sick fi hear it! This reality TV & Pop culture generation value, promote & praise things that are inherently bad for them and society..They are like moths drawn to fire & flame. But unlike the moths, they are not the only ones getting burned. Police need to be tough on criminals, but parents need to also start being tough on their kids & I'm not advocating abuse. Set some darn standards & hold them to it.

Joe Robinson
8/19/2010

Well said Pastor Dyer. Its very unfortunate that the same citizens who sing praises for the slain officer, are the same ones who are protecting these criminals. Our people must let go from these criminal elements. Give the police relevant information about these mad dogs,in ordre to rid them from society.

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Stop protecting the dons!