WHEN former Minister of National Security Peter Bunting asked for divine intervention in Jamaica’s fight against crime I was one of the few who actually agreed with his approach. I didn’t and still don’t believe that you can attack a task like saving people from murder without asking for the assistance of the Supreme Being.

Murder is, to a large degree, an unpreventable crime — and only specific categories can actually be controlled. Unfortunately, one of those non-preventable categories is domestic murder, for which proximity, time and provocation are often significant determinants.

The domestic abuse centres at many police stations do a lot to prevent domestic violence and, by extension, domestic murders. However, there are limitations because we are culturally violent and lack respect for each other, even when we are related.

Murders that occur during the commission of robberies are hard to control. As a result, great effort has been employed to secure public spaces and thereby dissuade robberies. Increased camera coverage is a large part of the effort.

There is also significant public education about prevention of robberies by limiting opportunities. The route from robbery to murder is often the result of resistance in pursuit of saving possessions. This is a really bad idea. Unless you are being removed to a secondary crime scene, raped, or you see murder coming, don’t resist, just give up the property.

Gang murder is considered one of the preventable ones. However, it is difficult to actually accomplish prevention and reduction in this type of crime. Proximity is, of course, an issue as perpetrator and victim sometimes live a few zinc fences apart. Motive is also present, as there is likely already a sea of bloodshed between them. As for ability? The criminals certainly have the weaponry.

With regard to willingness, they have proven to everyone, except Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), that they will kill for the literal fun of it. How then has this ambitious goal of homicide reduction been achieved?

Well, Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake and his management team in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have introduced a new dimension in their war against the killers. They have made them afraid. Fear of facing the consequences of their crimes has driven many of them underground. They fear attracting attention to themselves. Once they do, every known address of theirs is raided, not once, but constantly and continuously. This forces the killers into other communities, where the loyalty and fear they benefit from don’t exist. In those communities there is no one warning them of the approach of the police; no one hiding their guns for them; no one distracting the police with loud, vulgar performances. Dislocation works!

They then are forced to keep their guns with them. Once the criminals are held with guns, they go to jail for generations. So, as a result, they fire at the police and they lose almost every gun battle. Why? Because they are untrained, undisciplined, and unworthy of any protection from God. They have only the devil and JFJ.

The reduction in murders is where criminology meets police operations. Dr Blake has been able to control criminal behaviour. He is working not just on the criminals’ ability to move and engage in combat, but also on their minds. It is that fear of law enforcement that stops killers in Cuba, China, and El Salvador from committing murder.

The JCF has instilled this fear without a remand Act, which the aforementioned countries use to control their crime. The JCF has achieved this despite JFJ’s irresponsible demonstration, which it couldn’t have carried out in China, Cuba, or any other country that places State security as the only thing that matters.

So JFJ abuses its privilege — no, its right — simply because it can. How can you demonstrate for the rights of gang members and not the rights of children?

The question lingers.

What can the JCF do with the second half of the year? Can it maintain the current figures? Can it save that many more lives? I’m optimistic. In fact, as a member of the JCF I am committed. It will be more challenging. The residual effect of JFJ’s demonstration of support for the criminals will spill some blood.

The political climate that literally forces candidates to associate with and give support to criminals will contribute to a few murders. Old wounds and conflicts will be reopened because of the election. But, the men and women of Jamaica’s armed forces are up to the task.

We will rise to the challenge because we are well-led and we believe in the strategy. We believe that the lives of the people we secure are worth the effort of 1,000 more 4:00 am duties, 1,000 more high-risk entries, and 1,000 more trials, if needed.

This year’s reduction is going to be the greatest achievement for the JCF in its history. On top of that, guess what? It will be done while respecting the human rights of all Jamaicans.

Feedback: drjasonamckay@gmail.com

Jason McKay