Both arguments are correct

Owen Ellington,  Guest Columnist

I write in response to a letter to the editor published under the caption 'Confusing Reports'. The writer suggests that statements from the minister of national security and the commissioner of police on the country's crime situation are inconsistent, and, therefore, confusing.

The fact is, both Minister Bunting and I as commissioner are correct in our assessment of the crime situation. The minister's statement that crime is not spiralling out of control is absolutely correct. Between 2009 and 2013, serious crimes have declined in the following categories; murders down from 1,683 to 1,197; shooting down from 1666 to 1237; robbery down from 3,023 to 2,643; breakings down from 3,795 to 2,463; sexual assaults and bribery are just around the same level. This means an overall reduction in serious and violent crimes in four years from 11,384 to 8,863. This is a clear indication that our crime situation is improving and not deteriorating.

In remarks attributed to me, the writer noted that I described the country's crime situation as a "national security emergency". Quite strong words, but the 2012 revision of the National Security Policy for Jamaica assessed the tier-one threats facing Jamaica as organised crime, gangs, and corruption. The policy document described these threats as the "clear and present danger" because they are with us now. They have been blamed as the main cause for our poor internal security situation and the main reason for lack of economic development and prosperity. Independent sources have described violent crimes in Jamaica as a development issue requiring a strategic impact. To deny this fact is not in our best interest.

strategic responses

What is most important, though, is for Jamaicans to take note of the policy and strategic responses to the crime problem which have been undertaken in recent years.

For his part, the minister of national security has mandated the security forces to establish the Major Organized Crime and Anti-corruption Task Force, MOCA, to target the top-tier organised crime actors and their facilitators. MOCA's sting is already being felt.

The passing of the anti-lottery scamming law last year has resulted in the arrest with evidence of over 100 offenders and a 100 per cent conviction rate for cases already resolved by the courts. The minister has been piloting well-thought-through legislation through parliament to strengthen law-enforcement response to organised crime, gangs, corruption, and facilitators. These include the anti-gang bill; the DNA bill; revision of the plea bargaining law; strengthening of the Proceeds of Crime Act, among others.

Often well-intentioned policy initiatives include continued support for force trans-formation towards greater efficiency and accountability, the Unite for Change Campaign which recognises the value of partnership in turning around Jamaica's crime, security, and dysfunctional culture; and the soon-to-be-launched Citizen Security and Justice Programme II, which will see comprehensive social intervention in marginal communities to reduce crime levels, enhance citizen security, and build community resilience.

community policing

Our international partners are fully on board in support of the national security policy and its linked policy strategies, especially community-based policing. For example, USAID, COMET II, which will commence shortly, will see significant investment in community development with a focus on security peace-building initiatives strengthening relationships between the police and citizens while expanding the community-based policing strategy.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force continues to execute strategies; all linked to the National Security Policy objectives of enhancing citizen security and confidence. Our mainstreaming of community policing is the central theme of current policing methodology. Intelligence-driven policing has been adopted as a force multiplied in the delivery of better policing to communities. We will continue our aggressive counter-gang operations to disarm criminals, arrest them with evidence, degrade their capability, and significantly impact the level of violence they generate. Improved investigation with a special emphasis on exploiting technology in solving crimes is now a feature of modern policing in Jamaica. In the coming month, the country will see more and more of our cases build around digital forensic and other forms of scientific evidence being brought before the courts. There are many other policing initiatives being undertaken to improve efficiency, professionalism, and the quality of our interaction with the public.

So, while we do not want to be dormant, we believe it is the right thing to tell the truth about our crime situation to our publics. We also urge our publics to come out in support of the minister's Unite for Change campaign. It is only when good citizens unite against criminal elements that we can achieve the kind of strategic impact on the crime which we so greatly need.