KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Governor General Sir Patrick Allen said the newly appointed Justices of the Peace (JPs) should work against crime and make themselves available for the protection of children.

The governor general was speaking to JPs in the parish of Kingston, at a function Thursday in downtown Kingston. The governor general said too many people see theft as an issue to be ignored, and called on the JPs not to just be complainers when they see crimes occurring in their communities.

“Condemning the evil is not enough; we have to form a united front in support of the security and law enforcement authorities to defeat this pandemic,” he emphasised, while urging the JPs to also give support to organisations that are mentoring children, and standing against corruption.

The governor general said crime can cause disruption with programmes geared at development and a better quality of life for citizens, and also damage the country’s reputation for peace and a nation with no tolerance for corrupt activities.

“Crime is the strongest deterrent to Jamaica’s development; corruption also hinders prosperity and poisons our society. Too many persons, including our young people, have become lotto scammers,” he noted.

The GG was giving an update on the work of his ‘I Believe Initiative’ (IBI), which is seeking to motivate Jamaicans for good causes, and to build families, the governor general urged the JPs to help rid the society of crimes, as persons with great potential are being taken out by violence.

“Murders and other violent crimes rob us of productive citizens, and children with enormous potential. These crimes tarnish our country’s investment and tourism profile, and cause the best laid plans for development to stagnate,” he pointed out.

The GG said more JPs should get more involved in the “transformation of our country,” and to be courageous in tackling the ills of society.