INFLUENTIAL business and civic stakeholders on Sunday issued a call on the Government to put the National Consensus on Crime back at the centre of its efforts to fight the monster and to re-engage with the Crime Monitoring and Oversight Committee (CMOC) in the coming weeks to reset the objectives and targets for its reporting.

The stakeholders noted that on August 3, 2020 they were proud to join with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the then Leader of the Opposition Dr Peter Phillips “to affirm our support of the National Consensus on Crime and the framework for attaining a sustainable reduction in crime, violence and corruption in Jamaica.

“Given that we are on the heels of the second anniversary of that signing, we believe it an opportune moment to take stock and recalibrate priorities and targets.”

They pointed out that the consensus was forged through agreement amongst the Government, the Opposition, and civil society.

“Upon attaining this commitment the stakeholders formed the Consensus 2020 — Crime Monitoring and Oversight Committee as an independent body of nonpartisan stakeholders drafted from the private sector, civil society, academia, and the political directorate.

“CMOC’s mandate is to provide an independent overview of the efficacy and efficiency of the programmes agreed through the process of national consensus, and it is charged to keep the public engaged on the progress of reducing crime, violence, and corruption in Jamaica.”

According to the stakeholders — which include the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Jamaica Council of Churches, the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, and National Integrity Action — their most recent briefing sessions with CMOC provided visibility on progress in a number of areas.

These include the positive progress in most areas underscoring the transformation priorities of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the passing of several legislations including the all-important Public Bodies Management & Accountability Act, and the move towards a more cohesive Government.

“We were also heartened to note that budgetary support for the Ministry of National Security has trended back to pre-COVID levels,” the stakeholders said.

They said while acknowledging the progress in those areas there remain some which are tracking behind target, but they recognised that tangible attention is being paid to these areas.

“Most notable among those are the amendments to the Firearms Act that are currently before a joint select committee of Parliament, and recent pronouncements on advancing the highly anticipated Enhanced Security Measures Act.

“We also noticed that the anticipated timelines on some targets would have been delayed or deferred due to COVID-related re-prioritisation.

“We are encouraged by the support of our international partners and particularly the recent provision of tangible assistance from the European Union. The CMOC continues to do very important work for the country, and we look forward to more regular reporting and the increase of its visibility and improved engagement of all stakeholders towards joining hands in fighting this scourge that continues to affect our island,” the group added.