Jaristotle's Jottings | Crime Management Plan 2019

The following is a public service contribution owing to the seeming inability of the relevant authorities to produce an appropriate plan to stem criminality in Jamaica. It may not be perfect, but it represents a start, ever bearing in mind that the longest journey starts with an initial step.

Purpose

This plan is intended to outline the process and activities to be undertaken as a means of managing criminal activity in Jamaica, namely to reduce the scope for criminals to operate and ultimately to curtail the wanton criminality besetting the country.

Official stance on crime

The government of Jamaica, supported by the respective law-enforcement agencies, will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to criminal behaviour, particularly violent criminal behaviour. No quarter will be spared in curtailing the activities of criminals and protecting the citizens of Jamaica.

Criminals will be exposed, pursued and brought to justice, and a similar position will be taken with respect to individuals who facilitate criminal activities even if not directly involved.

Responsibilities

The success of this initiative requires purposeful leadership from the top down, encompassing all arms of government: ministries, departments and agencies.

The government will therefore appoint and empower a deputy prime minister (dep PM) to coordinate the strategic support and policy direction required for successful implementation and execution.

Operational responsibility will rest with the commissioner of police (COP).

Implementation

The basic operating paradigm for this crime management plan will be to displace criminals from their strongholds and relentlessly pursue them, even as the security forces create safe and secure environments for sustainable social-intervention programmes in ‘liberated’ communities.

The Suppression of Crime Act will be implemented islandwide, as will relevant supporting legislation to facilitate all law-enforcement concepts and activities outlined below.

States of emergency and zones of special operations will be implemented as and where necessary, namely in crime hotspots and to facilitate law-enforcement operations in particular situations.

Individuals identified as being linked to corruption in government agencies will be immediately removed from office and investigations initiated without delay.

The biodata of all known criminals, especially gang members, murderers and violent offenders, will be publicised. Such criminals will no longer be free to operate behind the veil of anonymity, and encouraging rewards will be offered for their capture, whether dead or alive.

We will remove the profit from crime

Once an individual has been named as a person of interest by the security forces, insurance companies are required to cancel all existing life insurance policies held for such individuals, as well as property and motor vehicle insurances held by them. All such instances are to be reported to the COP.

Business licences, permits and contracts issued to any person of interest, or where they are named as having an interest in any business, the applicable licences, permits and contracts are to be revoked, the assets seized and the businesses shut down.

Official documents such as passports and driver’s licences held by such named criminals are to be revoked.

The security forces will likewise adopt a zero-tolerance approach to reckless drivers, particularly those who operate public passenger vehicles. Vehicles will be seized, licences will be revoked and offending individuals permanently banned from driving.

Aiding and abetting

Individuals who are found to be aiding and abetting named criminals will be prosecuted for such activities, and may become liable for the crimes perpetrated by the criminals who they so aided and abetted, particularly in civil matters where compensation or restitution is payable by the criminals.

Conclusion

Where there is a will there is a way. The government of Jamaica is determined to establish and demonstrate the will to manage crime, leading by example. Jamaica will be the place of choice to live, work and raise families.

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