Holness warns criminals won't 'live to enjoy the fruits of crime'

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has delivered an ominous warning to criminals, even as he again urged mothers and other women to talk to their sons and family members who are involved in crime.

Holness said his administration has “changed the risk-reward function of crime”.

“For those criminals who believe that the reward for crime is still greater than the risk of crime, you are making a mistake,” he said on Tuesday during a special post-Cabinet press briefing marking International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday.

“If you believe that you are going to live to enjoy the fruits of crime, you are mistaken,” the prime minister added.

His comments came amid concerns by at least one human rights lobby group about the sharp increase this year in the number of police fatal shootings.

Holness did not address the matter, but Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake has said the concerns should be directed at criminals who choose to engage cops.

The prime minister’s warning was directed at women who know that their sons, nephews and boyfriends are involved in a gang or criminality.

“Pick up the phone or when you see them, in a moment, talk to them; plant the seed in their heads that they should turn away from this life,” he said.

“It’s too late when they are staring down the barrel of a gun for you to do anything to help them. It’s too late when they are in the prisons, regretful of their past life,” he said.

Holness said his message “could not be more serious” and “I believe we have given sufficient warnings”.

- Livern Barrett

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