Time to tear down garrisons

Michael Williams, GUEST COLUMNIST

An open letter to PM Golding:

I write in view of The Gleaner's most appropriate highlighting of the 'Gangs of Gordon House', and a prior query by Member of Parliament Ronnie Thwaites whether the Manatt-Coke commission of enquiry would have investigated possible connections between political parties and criminal elements, in particular any connection between the Jamaica Labour Party and the Shower Posse, which should also include the connections between the People's National Party and the Clansman gang.

It is certainly within the nation's interest to examine and expose any such link with a view to it being nullified and the cancer removed.

What was conveniently missing from Mr Thwaites' statement, however, was the need to investigate ALL possible connections that exist between criminal elements and the Jamaican political fraternity at large!

It has long been postulated that the main facilitator of the growth of crime in Jamaica has been the relationship that exists between criminality and politics. It is also still widely held that the main deterrent in bringing crime under control is the continuation of this type of relationship, whether explicit or implicit.

Given that there is some validity to this claim, the logical first step would be to examine those areas where there is the greatest possibility of uncovering such relationships, namely in those constituencies referred to, ad nauseam, as garrisons or near-garrisons.

These constituencies, together with their respective MPs, are listed below:

Kingston Central Ronnie ThwaitesKingston WesternBruce GoldingKingston Eastern and Pt Royal Phillip PaulwellSt Andrew SouthernOmar DaviesSt Andrew South WesternPortia Simpson Miller St Andrew East CentralPeter PhillipsSt Andrew West Central Andrew HolnessSt Andrew WesternAnthony HyltonSt Andrew North Central Karl SamudaSt Andrew North EasternDelroy ChuckSt Catherine South Central Sharon Hay-WebsterSt Catherine Central Olivia GrangeSt Catherine East Central Natalie Neita-HeadleySt Catherine North Western Robert PickersgillSt Catherine South Eastern Colin FaganSt Mary CentralMorais GuySt James North WesternHorace ChangSt Ann South Eastern Lisa HannaSt Thomas Western James RobertsonWestmoreland Central Roger ClarkeWestmoreland Eastern Luther BuchananClarendon Central Michael Henry

A commission of enquiry established with the above-highlighted objective would, among other things:

a. Examine these constituencies for the possibility of such a relationship and, given that it exists, its historical development.

b. Determine to what extent crime is promoted, facilitated, and perpetuated by this relationship.

c. Outline, in very definitive terms, the measures needed in order to correct the situation.

There is little doubt that much of this enquiry would tell the country what is already common knowledge. There is still every reason for it to be implemented, since it would provide the proof and the facts needed to create the answers to a growing cancer.

Authentically implemented, a commission of enquiry of this nature, by exposing any such existing connections, will remove the legitimacy that criminal gangs may have by virtue of their political connection. This will go a long way to assist the country in becoming an acceptably peaceful one.

Should this administration agree to do this, you, Mr Golding, may end up redeeming yourself from the controversy surrounding the Manatt affair and enjoy the restored confidence of an appreciative people.

Michael Williams is the general secretary of the NDM. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com or ndmjamaica@yahoo.com.