I am often fascinated by the term state of emergency (SOE) and its use as a deterrent to crime in Jamaica.

All governmental bodies, both nationally and internationally, use states of emergency to help its citizens against threats and natural disasters such as hurricanes, wars, uncontrolled diseases, as well as other hazards against society.

However, SOEs as a crime-fighting resource in Jamaica might not achieve the results expected as echoed by our Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang, and law enforcement officials.

In an article written by Chris Patterson and published by Jamaica Information Service on November 14, 2021, it was reported that, “Police commissioner Major General Antony Anderson said the imposition of the states of public emergency is designed to reduce violence in the communities as quickly as possible and reduce fear.”

Jason Cross’s article in the Jamaica Observer, published on July 6, 2022, suggested that the prime minister and Commissioner Anderson echoed the impressive 81 per cent reduction in murder during the SOE and highlighted the outcome of capturing wanted men.

I have no doubt that this unsustainable reduction in crime, as reported by the carefully chosen words of Commissioner Anderson, had been met, but Jamaica does not need a temporary reduction in crime or a facade of peace with the migration of criminals to other communities.

You may recall that when an SOE is declared, on every occasion, our prime minister and other governmental officials promulgated this unsolicited information to media houses with the objective of informing citizens of associated activities such as searches, roadblocks, and most prevalent, curfews in certain areas to mitigate injury, loss of life, or property resulting from the security forces’ engagement with criminal elements.

If this information is being disseminated to the very criminals they intend to catch, how likely is it that law enforcement will make any substantial arrests? Shouldn’t it be apparent to these officials that once the announcement is made there would be a mass exodus of criminals from the communities about to be under siege to other communities prior to the implementation of the curfew? Do our intelligent government and security officials think criminals are lunatics or stupid enough to patiently wait like lambs to the slaughter to be captured when they have sanctuaries with culpable friends and family members in other communities that are not under curfew?

Permanent crime reduction is a core function of the criminal justice system in all countries which seek to restore lives and improve community functionality, and Jamaica is no exception. However, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister Chang, and Commissioner Anderson seem to be committed to the same haphazard narrative, each spewing a separate inconsistent message to our citizens.

Prime Minister Holness suggested permanent crime reduction and stated, “The Government has to act to stem crime and violence,” (The Gleaner, June 17, 2022). He further stated that, “You elected me to discharge my duties in support of the defence of the first and most important right, which is the right to life,” (Nationwide News Network, June 17, 2002).

Dr Chang emphasised permanent crime reduction with the injection of a metaphor: “We are confident that by staying the course [effecting SOEs] we will break the back of this scourge of crime and violence in Jamaica,” (The Gleaner, June 17, 2022). Yet these government officials agreed with the myopic vision of the commissioner who eloquently elaborated about the temporary nature of the SOE and its intended purpose. These equivocations, opacities, and verbal disunity are unacceptable.

While my area of expertise is not in law enforcement and I enjoy seeing police presence within and without the communities, I must emphatically say that if SOEs are to reduce crime permanently, media communication should be contained and information ought not be broadcast to the general public. In this respect, all criminals will remain in the area under siege, unaware of what is about to happen.

Additionally, perimeters should be set up beyond the boundaries of the SOE, with officers at various entrances and exits to other communities; motorists should be arrested and charged for warning other motorists of the presence of law enforcement by flashing their headlights; and police officers and others who will participate in the SOE should not be told of the operation until the start of the workday.

These actions, among others, most certainly would not be viewed as a calm without a storm, but as a storm before a permanent calm. This, my friends, would drive fear into the hearts of criminals, their counterparts, aiders, and abettors, resulting in the permanent eradication of crime for the betterment of the citizens of our beloved island.

Dr Curtis Webley is an entrepreneur in Chicago, Illinois. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or cwebley@wascpafirm.com