Dear Editor,

As crime wreaks havoc on our beautiful island, we must first understand the potential underlying factors contributing to this lawlessness and distrust that has continued to plague our nation. A stark example of this is evident in the many interactions with the police captured on social media.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has come a long way to now a professional law enforcement organisation aimed at keeping Jamaicans safe. The question, however, is: When did this culture of mistrust and disrespect for law enforcement start?

Despite the ongoing transformation of the JCF and the inclusion of community-based policing, there is a pattern of blatant disregard for the rule of law, social order, or civility by a large swathe of the public.

While dancehall music, which rose to prominence in the late 60s, often glorifies violence with ‘gunman’ lyrics, it is important to note that no definitive study has concluded that dancehall music directly contributes to increased criminal activities in Jamaica. While arguments can be made on both sides, it is also important to remember that facts do not care about emotions.

In all fairness, should we seriously categorise the manifestation of nursery rhymes (in some cases) that illustrate using a gun to shoot someone in the face or using the infamous three-star ratchet to do things that do not include peeling an orange.

Any creative art form that seeks to belittle or threaten the extinction of our brothers and sisters should not be endorsed. The arts, expressed in music, should represent hope and inspiration.

Our attention should be centred on the underlying social factors that have been and continue to be overlooked. I believe these factors are the root causes of this ongoing lawlessness.

Sadly, our security forces have demonstrated behaviours that, in my opinion, are the main contributors to the rejection and pushback they experience from communities. However, it is only fair to argue that they, too, are products of their environment. Therefore, to create an ideal security force, we must first fix these obvious social issues to produce quality citizens before they are considered fit to serve as police officers.

If this behavior is left unchecked, it can create a deeply ingrained culture that can perpetuate through many more generations.

Could we have started our post-Independence journey on the wrong social and cultural footing? Based on laws and cultural practices inherited, the vast majority of that society needed to be adequately exposed to or provided with a fundamental understanding of those norms and expectations. They needed at least a basic understanding of the laws governing the land, their rights, privileges, and responsibilities.

Unfortunately, we did not attempt to mimic the cultural norms and practices of countries that were and continue to make their mark by investing in quality education, solid infrastructures, a practical government accountability framework, and world-class social services.

How do we break the back of these bad practices? Increasing the security force (boots on the ground) is a mere band-aid approach best suited for a short-term solution. The ultimate long-term approach must provide a sustainable solution, one that is capable of enduring scrutiny and, most importantly, preventing future breakdown.

Ideally, this framework can be introduced early in our children’s development. Preferably at the primary level, the essential foundational aspect of our constitutional rights must be ingrained so that citizens can readily identify when these rights are infringed upon and the primary responsibilities that are entrusted to them. Additionally, a portion of civic engagement must be emphasised under the theme: Take back our community.

During the various stages of the cultural overhaul process, the security forces, government ministries, and tertiary institutions will play an essential role through partnership and collaboration. Students in health care, law, social work, psychology, and public health will also forge partnerships with local community clubs and other social groups geared towards cultural transformation in the various fields and how they affect society.

The National Solid Waste Management Authority and National Environment & Planning Agency will educate communities about clean environment and personal space, providing evidence-based information about proper garbage disposal and recycling. Both agencies can drive behavioural change through a clean community initiative.

Before you consider my proposals too ambitious, consider the following: In 1962, had we implemented these or similar initiatives and allowed them to be embedded in our daily routine, would there be a difference in our attitude towards many areas of our society?

Jerome Betty

bettyjerome5@gmail.com