Many of us experienced déjà vu on hearing and reading comments by some residents of Tawes Meadows in Spanish Town following the death of Mr Othniel “Thickman” Lobban in an alleged confrontation with police.

Mr Lobban was accused of being a racketeer, murderer, and leader of the One Order gang which has terrorised communities in St Catherine and neighbouring parishes for decades.

But those who protested violently, shutting down business in Spanish Town last week, claimed Mr Lobban was saintly.

One woman described him to this newspaper as the very epitome of generosity: “December gone he kept a treat for the elderly. He brought out all the senior citizens, fed them, and distributed packages…”

And further, “When storm come, him look food, pack and distribute. Back-to-school time him keep the biggest treat… If you go to him and say you don’t have any lunch money, him a give your pickney lunch money. If you go to him and say you want dinner money, he makes sure you have it. If you want to go to the doctor, he will make you go to the doctor. Children cannot be on the road after certain hours. He was a community person. If you have a problem and go to him, he would sit down and listen and solve it as best as he could…”

The words may differ, but the sentiments are very similar to those we have heard time and again in relation to men said to be criminal ‘dons’ in communities across Jamaica.

We won’t easily forget the 2010 uprising in West Kingston. Back then, in the build-up to criminals turning their guns against the security forces in defence of Mr Christopher “Dudus” Coke, protesting women marched, insisting on his saintliness.

It’s a sad truth that Mr Coke’s network, like the Spanish Town-based One Order and Klansman gangs, had their roots in the political wars of decades past.

Accused of multiple heinous crimes, Mr Coke now languishes in a US prison after being extradited, but not before more than 60 people died in the uprising.

We agree with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness that criminal gangs, which continue to do great harm to this country, must be destroyed.

Against a backdrop of multiple complaints of police abuse, we welcome word that: “[T]he police have been instructed that… [while] targeting gangs… law-abiding citizens must be protected…”

That said, we believe it imperative that Jamaicans properly appreciate the obvious: That it is the State’s neglect of its responsibilities dating back decades which has allowed ruthless criminals to become ‘saints’ and ‘saviours’ in our most socio-economically depressed communities.

Following the fall of Mr Coke 15 years ago, much was said about the State filling the void in West Kingston created by his absence. It has not happened. And, based on history, we are inclined to doubt that much will change in Spanish Town following the fall of Mr Lobban.

Enforcement of law and order by our security forces is absolutely essential. But twinned to that must be long-term, comprehensive, resource-based, unified approach to community development led by Government, with the support of our political parties, business and industry, churches, et al.

That is if we are ever to truly bring crime to heel.