Dear Editor,

Like Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, I am not satisfied with the 15 per cent reduction in murders when 2010 is compared to 2009, as officially reported late last year. In fact, we continue to be appalled that Jamaica remains a killing field, and that at certain blood-soaked locations across the country, gunmen continue to snuff out the lives of ordinary citizens, almost with impunity. It was only three years ago that my letter to the papers threw a caveat to the then Commissioner Lucius Thomas, that his desired five per cent murder reduction target for 2008 was woefully inadequate.

This 15 per cent reduction represents a drop in murders from 1653 to 1409 (at the time of writing), and though trending in the right direction, is still cause for alarm. The time has come for the nation to understand that the prevention and solution of gun crimes is not exclusively a police matter. The notion once held by communities and individuals that the issue of barking guns is somebody else’s problem has been blown to smithereens, as the assassin’s bullet is not as discriminating as once believed.

There are many beneficiaries of gun crime, whether through actual murder or the psychological terror unleashed by the user and/or source of the gun. Political terror and control are strong motivations for foisting this gun culture, and recent allegations suggest that this may be systematic and a part of considered strategy. Gang warfare and tactics necessitate a supply of increasingly sophisticated and deadly guns and ammunition, and for some reason, various ports and points of entry have been too permeable in allowing a steady flow of killing machines over the years. Then, we understand that guns are rented or lent to commit murder or robberies, and gun craft has therefore become a lucrative business. Quite damningly, corrupt police have reportedly collaborated with civilian criminals in this nefarious trade and practice.

The gun is glorified by many marginalised, disempowered and low self-valued youth, and provides a rare psychological crutch to cause others to sit up, take note, and cower, given the immense capacity of the holder to kill or inflict serious harm. An erosion of the time-honoured values of respect for life, love for others, community spirit, humility, etc, has been facilitated by leaders of whatever nature, level and hue, and a deliberate and massive values/morality reconstruction job is required. Do you remember the discarded values and attitudes (VA) campaign? Would the nation now be benefiting had we courageously implemented it, notwithstanding the initial resistance and cynicism over a decade ago? The cowardly abandonment of the VA programme must go down as a monumental failure of the last political administration.

Today, we need to keep our politicians honest, and swiftly prosecute where there is merit. An unequivocal signal needs to be sent that no one is beyond the reach of the law and the seriousness of its enforcers, a campaign in which every well-meaning Jamaican has a role to play. When Jamaicans begin to see public officials brought to book for crimes, from the level of the prime minister right down the line, then the much-needed confidence and willingness to cooperate in the crime fight will return.The gangs must be dismantled and examples made of members, and the fear of God driven in the hearts of would-be gangsters. While this is going on, the majority of Jamaicans must be made to feel a greater stake in the progress and returns from a renewed and productive Jamaica . Carrot and stick will have to march hand in hand. Once the socio-economic inequalities and injustices remain as frustratingly sharp as they have historically been, with indifferent and copious wealth and ostentation existing alongside, and in the face of abject poverty, the dream of dramatically reducing the murder rate will evaporate into thin air, and the prospects for prosperity with it. This crime war can be won.

Wat Ching

wat.ching@yahoo.com