We need all hands on deck in fight against crime
Published:Saturday | February 25, 2012 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I have believed and argued that Jamaica and its major urban spaces or landscapes need a holistic anti-crime plan in order to protect the lives of citizens and create an environment for investment, economic development, personal prosperity and national peace. The plan unveiled by the Security Minister Peter Bunting on Monday is a major step in that direction.
For far too long successive governments have approached crime fighting on a sporadic basis, with reactionary policies and responses to crises and troubled areas when they manifest or erupt. This plan by Mr Bunting finally considers some of the root causes of the problem and presents a new strategy by targeting the sources, leaders and supporters of crime and corruption and the finances generated from this activity.
Another dimension of the plan which comes just on the heels of the UNDP 2012 report on Jamaica, as well as announced planned attacks on the police, via INDECOM and from the commissioner. The amendments to the Proceeds of the Crime Act, implementing the anti-gang legislation, continuous policing, citizen policing and the long-awaited community renewal programmes are long overdue, and duly appreciated.
Break links with criminals
The Jamaican community, village and family, which have been plagued by crime and murders for so long, need to facilitate as well as accommodate this plan if it is to be successful. MPs, councillors and JPs must become fully involved in the battle against crime, and not support criminals and criminality in any way whatsoever.
I am hoping that Parliament and the Ministry of Justice speed up the enactment of legislation to make the crime plan effective, and to have a more robust and potent system and workflow to manage the backlog of cases before the courts.
It is also imperative of us as citizens, as well as the National Integrity Action Ltd, all civil-society and community organisations to work hand in hand with the Ministry of National Security to rid this country of crime and corruption once and for all.
Once again, I must state that it is commendable that the fight against crime has sought to incorporate the major stakeholders of society. Crime is everybody's business; we are all affected by it in more ways than one. An effective and speedy revamp of community policing and citizens associations will play a key role in the fight against this parasite which has sought to carve itself a niche in our society.
Then we can launch the war on POVERTY!
YANNICK NESTA PESSOA