Garth Rattray | Tired of fretting

This world is full of uncertainties. It’s sad and scary to know that anything can happen to anybody, at any time. That includes any illness, any crime, and any mishap. However, nowadays, the risk of experiencing crimes and mishaps has increased significantly. Not a single day goes by that several of our fellow citizens are not being injured, maimed, or killed because of criminal activities or motor vehicle crashes.

Not every criminal or crash incident makes the news. Several terrible things are happening and remain unreported. Social media plays a huge role in disseminating information on crime and crashes. However, letting others know what’s going on out there is one thing, but, unfortunately, there has emerged a macabre yen to post the goriest images imaginable. I find this to be extremely cold, exploitive, and disrespectful of the victims and their families. I have always posited the question, “Would you want images of your loved ones, in death throes, or already dead, bloodied, and/or broken, bleeding, exposed, or screaming in pain posted all over the Internet?” I am certain that no one would want such a thing, so no one should do such a thing.

Not only am I aware of the horrible fate of way too many of our fellow Jamaicans, I am also familiar with some of the victims and/or their grieving family members. I can tell you definitively, there is no complete healing from any such experience. Time may dull the sharp edge of pain, but it never goes away. Such tragedies are catastrophic and forever leave a deep, gut-wrenching pain that is not amenable to any treatment. The really distressing thing is that crime and crashes are largely totally preventable. They are not random acts of God or mishaps of nature, they are human-driven disasters, and as such, they are unnecessary.

NEVER KNOW

You never know which criminal mind is targeting you or your loved ones. You never know which of our many crazy drivers will do something selfish and stupid and crash into you or your loved ones. You never know which person of unsound mind will suddenly attack you or your loved ones. You never know if you or your loved ones may accidentally drive through a shootout. You never know if someone will attempt to abduct you or your loved ones. You never know if that sound outside is of thieves breaking into your home, intent on robbing, raping or killing. You never know if you or your loved ones will become victims of thieves and bloodthirsty murderers.

No amount of forward planning or security can absolutely guarantee your safety. Having security devices are certainly helpful, but even a squad of bodyguards can’t always protect you, your loved ones or your property from every conceivable criminal intent. Owning a firearm may save lives, but it is also a huge burden. It is not usually possible to foresee murderers approaching. They behave innocuously to avoid suspicion. They dress in regular clothes, or reflective vests, or even as members of the security forces to throw you off guard. Additionally, the firearm itself is a major responsibility. It may protect you or your loved ones, but it also enslaves you. Firearms are not for everyone.

With all this in mind, many Jamaicans fret for themselves and for their loved ones constantly. An unanswered cell phone call may precipitate panic. An unexpected cell phone call may also precipitate panic. People are often calling friends and loved one to ask, “Yuh reach yet?” “Everything alright?” “Have you seen so and so?” “Please check up on so and so?” People are checking security devices at homes and in motor vehicles constantly. It doesn’t take much to see our sad state of affairs. Our heavily armed security forces, many gated communities, burglar bars, barricades, increasing number of licensed firearm holders, and the proliferation of private security companies say a lot about our fair, little island home.

DON’T WANT MUCH

If basic needs are fulfilled, there will be less crime, more discipline and real prosperity. People don’t want much, they don’t really want to be wealthy or even rich, what they want is ‘security’. People want the security of knowing where their next meal is coming from. Living hand to mouth and eking out barely enough to purchase cheap food, day to day make people potentially dangerous.

People need the security of housing and amenities. Perhaps my naiveté shows when I wonder why the National Housing Trust has enough surplus billions to be raided repeatedly, yet it can’t provide free or very low-priced housing and amenities for the poor. People want the security of knowing that they can be gainfully employed, and that they won’t lose their jobs on the whims of some manager or the other. I preferred the term “personnel department” because it sounded personal. But “human resources” gives the impression that people are only resources. Consequently, companies expect employees to be faithful to them, but they are not faithful to their employees. This ends up in job insecurity.

People want the security of safety from crime, and from anarchy on our roads. People want health security and to have some disposable income to spend on their wants. If a society can supply these things, there will be far less crime, far more order and therefore far fewer reasons to fret about your safety and the safety of your loved ones.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com