Basil Jarrett | The other meaning of Christmas

SO ANOTHER Christmas is in the history books, and already, the clock has started to wind down on that once-evergreen, now slightly brown Christmas tree; those dizzying pepper lights; yards and yards of shiny tinsel; reindeer noses; and fuzzy Santa Claus hats. Funny enough, I often feel as if the true meaning of Christmas – you know, the birth of Christ Jesus, who came into this world to save sinners – doesn’t really reveal itself until January. Think about it: after that early December paycheque, the overspending on gifts, parties, rum and food, followed by the long wait ‘til the next payday, January is when most people look at their bills and empty bank accounts and call on Jesus.

Yes, Christmas is all those things. Food, parties, rum, gifts, carols, jingle bells, tinsel and fruit cake, with sweet baby Jesus thrown in somewhere. But it’s also a time of reflection and a chance to start thinking about the future and what the next year is going to bring. Yes, I know that I just ruined your holiday, and yes, I know that there are still four festive days left before January’s depression sets in.

NEW YEAR. NEW PROMISES

Traditionally, January 1 is when we start to think about how much less we are going to eat, how much more we are going to save, how many times we will be going to church, and how fewer times we will visit the rum bar. Statistically, improved fitness, improved finances, improved mental health, weight loss and improved diets and eating habits typically top the list of New Year’s resolutions. Unless you’re one of the footloose and fancy-free who simply throw caution and resolutions to the wind and just wing it. And since the wheels of that New Year’s resolution bus typically start falling off in a few weeks or couple of months, you can almost see why this latter group chooses to just go with the flow.

As a nation, however, we don’t have such luxuries. It is absolutely vital that we start to think about what changes we want to see in 2024, and more importantly, what are we willing to do differently to make it happen.

These next four days should be spent unpacking those ideas, sharpening and refining them for that January 1 D-Day. Will 2024 be the year we finally turn the corner on crime and corruption, for example? And if that is the goal, what are we going to do differently to make it happen?

LESS CRIME. LESS CORRUPTION

Now, I’m aware that for many persons, crime and corruption may not be high on their priority list. If I have more money in my pocket, they may reason, then I can insulate myself more against those issues. Perhaps this is so. But when you consider that, by World Bank estimates, crime and corruption cost Jamaica approximately $168 billion each year, the picture changes somewhat.

UNITY OF PURPOSE

So if we can all agree that this twin-headed monster is a universal threat, the next logical conclusion must be that we all have a role to play in its demise. Crime and corruption are pervasive issues that transcend social, economic, and geographical boundaries. They impact the lives of individuals, families and communities, and erode the very fabric of society. It is imperative, therefore, that our citizens stand united with law enforcement to significantly reduce the crime rates and create a less corrupt environment. In this universal battle, information is an incredibly potent weapon.

It is often said in law-enforcement circles that every crime has a witness, and those witnesses possess valuable insights and observations that could be pivotal in solving cases, or preventing criminality in the first place. I implore every member of our society, therefore, to pledge that 2024 will be the year that you become active participants in this fight by sharing any suspicions, tips, or pertinent information that you may have.

Your information, no matter how small it may seem to you, could be the key that unlocks a case or prevents a crime.

NO ONE WILL KNOW

Certainly, I can understand that persons may be hesitant or fearful to report information due to concerns about confidentiality or potential repercussions. But how real is this fear? Certainly, if you decide to go on social media or in the middle of Half-Way Tree and bellow out who did what, and when, where and how, then obviously, you’d be compromising your own safety and security. But what about those designated bodies that were purpose-built to receive confidential and anonymous information, specifically, entities like the auditor general, the Integrity Commission, Crime Stop and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA)?

The latter two have established a unique partnership to create Jamaica’s first anti-corruption tip line, 888-MOCA-TIP. MOCA conceptualised and built the tip line on the excellent Crime Stop backbone, given that they, Crime Stop, have never had any tipster’s identity revealed in their entire 30-plus years of operation.

The truth is, we have no excuse to not use the tip lines, especially when they have repeatedly demonstrated that strong tips are processed, researched and actioned, and quiet often lead to some of the largest cases nationally.

By actively participating in these anonymous tip line initiatives, citizens play an integral role in enhancing security and fostering a sense of ownership and accountability for the well-being of our communities. When law enforcement and citizens work together, hand-in-hand, our neighborhoods, our economy and our lives are improved in truly tangible ways.

Look, I know that half of you reading this are probably still tipsy from the Boxing Day festivities, and the other half is busy getting primed for the upcoming New Year’s Eve shenanigans. And that’s fine. By all means, go out and enjoy yourselves this weekend. But stay safe, stay vigilant, and let’s stay on top of our resolutions in 2024. Happy New Year everyone!

Major Basil Jarrett is a communications strategist and CEO of Artemis Consulting, a communications consulting firm specialising in crisis communications and reputation management. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Threads @IamBasilJarrett and linkedin.com/in/basiljarrett.