I agree.Iâm saying that happened between two communities before when I was younger. They came together with the MP and the police on their phones. And they sat down and they had a talk. And they came to some agreement. And up until this day that has been honoured, so I feel that it would be a good initiative. (PHILP LEMONTE)
June 15, 2022
Vox Pop: Do you agree with a suggestion by St James Southern Member of Parliament Homer Davis that the police should have a sit-down with criminals in order to counter rising crime in the parish?
Almost two weeks ago St James Southern Member of Parliament Homer Davis suggested that police and gangsters should meet in an effort to stem spiralling violence in the parish.
Days later, apparently after harsh criticism from the public about his suggestion, the embattled first-term MP walked back the comments saying that the “Government that I am a part of, we will not, we will never, negotiate with criminals.”
Nevertheless, Jamaica Observer West photographer Philp Lemonte earlier this week asked people across St James: “Do you agree with a suggestion by St James Southern Member of Parliament Homer Davis that the police should have a sit-down with criminals in order to counter rising crime in the parish?”
Here are some of the responses:
No. I don’t think that they should because they’re adults and they know what they’re doing. Yeah, unless it’s like juvenile like somebody’s 15, 16 [years old] and they don’t really know what they’re doing.
I don’t support it.When you meet with criminals, it is telling you that the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] is incompetent.
I don’t support it.
It’s a good idea, but I don’t think it will work because the criminals are not going to give up themselves to the police like that.
This is a joking situation, you think the gang leaders are going to give up themselves like that to the police? Rubbish! They’re not going to do that. I don’t support it.
It would be a good idea for both the police and gang members to meet to see what can be done to reduce the crime and violence affecting our society.
