EDITORIAL - Farmers cower as heists continue

The rampage at a St Catherine livestock farm under the cloak of darkness earlier this week, resulting in sheep and goats being slaughtered and the meat carted off, has renewed the discussion about praedial thieves and what can be done to staunch this crime.

Its an old story, but one which cannot be ignored, for, as the economic harshness stings harder, criminals have become more desperate and even bolder.

Farm larceny is everybodys business, because theft of agricultural produce may mean increased prices to the consumer. The fact is that theft of all sorts is rampant in Jamaica.

The gunmen who pounced on the farm in the early hours of the morning were not hungry persons looking for food. They were well-organised predators who had apparently targeted the farm and saw a power outage as the perfect foil for their criminal activity.

The million-dollar question is, where is their market? We suggest that this is where the spotlight of the investigation should be shining at this time.

FOCUS ON THE OUTLETS

Since the police do not have the resources to adequately monitor many of these remotely located farms, the focus of their investigations should be on the outlets where these stolen items may be sold. For, when one considers the theft of 32 sheep and 18 goats, one must wonder where this loot could be marketed. Did they secure the markets before the heist? Or is it the case that, having secured the meat, the criminals then go out to seek markets?

Taking the law into their hands is certainly not the answer to this problem. However, it is perhaps understandable, but not advisable, that one faced with a $2-million setback overnight might cherish some very dark thoughts about how to avenge this loss. Many frustrated farmers have hinted that they cannot take it anymore and are considering their own solutions.

Successive governments have tried various strategies, from agricultural wardens to a receipt-book system, with limited success. There was even an attempt to collaborate with Crime Stop by offering a million-dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of farm thieves. This programme did not even get off the ground.

There is a feeling that since praedial larceny does not usually involve violence against the person, the countrys resources would be better spent focusing on violent crimes in the current environment of mayhem and murder. And maybe this is exactly what has given the predators comfort in the knowledge that they can commit these egregious crimes and never be caught.

However, while the thieves carry out their dastardly acts under cover of night, the goods which they purloin are being offered to consumers in the light of day. This newspaper submits that there has to be a concerted effort to find and punish those who collaborate with these criminals.

This week, the theft happened in St Catherine. But all persons involved in agricultural pursuits must surely be wondering when it will be their turn.

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