JANUARY 2015 is setting up to record the highest number of murders since October of last year when 115 murders were recorded, the highest for 2014. Despite an average of 3.7 murders per day for that month, the police were still able to realise an overall annual reduction of 16 per cent. Murders to date for 2015 are at 3.3 per day, notwithstanding, it is still early days, hence no reason for panic.

Our current situation will in no way dictate the outcome, therefore “we need not be unduly alarmed at this time”. This is the point the National Security Minister was alluding to during his statement to the House of Representatives on January 27, 2015, whilst giving an update on the crime situation and outlining plans for the way forward.

The criminal landscape in Jamaica is very dynamic, and this is reflected in the fluctuating number of murders and other categories of major crime each month. Looking back at 2014, October — which recorded the highest number of murders for any month — was preceded by September, which had the lowest number for any month, and August and July had the second highest and lowest, respectively. Examination of the trajectory shows that there was not any consistent decline or increase across the 12-month period.

This unpredictability is what makes policing in Jamaica difficult. Murders are no longer confined to hot spots and are no longer predominantly gang related. While this continues to take a greater share of the violence attribution pie, we are seeing an increase in murders resulting from disputes and robbery. As the police go on the offensive to cut off the financial pipeline of organised criminals and dismantle these organisations, criminals will resort to acquisitory-type crimes. It is therefore imperative for the police to deny criminals of the opportunity. The most effective way to achieve this is to occupy and dominate the public spaces. The main strategies to be employed to achieve this are increasing the operational deployment by boosting the resources in the geographic divisions and embarking on a more aggressive approach to community/proximity policing.

The minister mentioned the merger of existing sections and the reallocation of personnel from non-geographic formations into the geographic divisions to focus on preventative policing. Boosting the resources of the geographic divisions will improve the effort of the police in targeting violence ‘producers’, dominating critical hot spots and placing greater emphasis on forensic and investigative capabilities. The minister also highlighted a greater adoption of community policing, reverting from the paramilitary style that exists. This paradigm shift will be driven by proximity policing. This initiative seeks to bring the police in closer proximity to the community and citizens through the adoption of both conventional and contemporary strategies that will see the police as permanent fixtures in the communities. This will enable the fostering of trust and partnering to solve community problems.

One should not believe that the police are sitting idly by and allowing murders to rise. Also, one should not consider the minister to be callous in his appeal for us not to be unduly alarmed at the current rise in murders. His appeal for calm is one that coincides with the strategies of managing critical incidents. As the minister with responsibility for the safety and security of Jamaicans and visitors to Jamaica, it is important for him to remain resolute and not make utterances that will cause panic and uncertainty among the masses. The increase in murders does not mean there is lack of control, and it certainly does not mean that we are losing the gains we have made since 2010. It simply means the police will have to review its current strategies and adjust accordingly. Indeed, they have responded. This shows the tenacity of the police and the extent to which the force has evolved, where the implementation of strategies has grown dynamic to respond to changing situation and trends. We await the results of these implementations, while not being unduly alarmed at this time.

— harriott_200@hotmail.com