Letter of the Day | Both political parties must unify to tackle crime

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As Jamaica reels under the assault from crime, the call for a national unified effort against this malady is repeated, and a unified national approach to crime is clearly necessary for anything effective in countering this deadly challenge. The country needs a combined effort to stem the ongoing internal “civil war” of Jamaicans against each other.

The call goes out repeatedly from all sources, including the Government, for a unified initiative, and this unity is also clearly needed at the top. Nothing less than a consistent and ongoing collaboration between the two major political parties regarding this matter, is required.

The history and development of crime in Jamaica over the years is so intertwined with political activity that a united effort by both parties will be essential for a successful, sustained initiative. A deep examination of the development of crime since independence followed by a compressive plan that considers all relevant factors leaving out nothing, will be critical before anything sustainably effective can be implemented.

This need for collaboration has been frequently expressed, and the historical records demonstrate the ultimate ineffectiveness of the Government taking it on alone, without a merged united effort with the Opposition.

However, the reality of the current situation is that instead of a combined and united effort, what we see is a divisive, conflicting, and confrontational situation within the political fraternity. This lack of commitment and collaboration is again demonstrated by the apparent indifference, if not disdain, shown towards the Crime Monitoring Oversight Committee, an established platform which, if taken seriously, would be difficult to surpass in effectiveness.

To add to this, while any number of zones of special operations and states of emergency are implemented, brazen violence often takes place within their perimeters, making mockery of them.

Both parties need to come together on the crime issue, the then Government extending the invitation, and the then Opposition accepting it.

What about both parties taking a clue from two of their respective grassroots supporters, who provide a vivid demonstration of inter-party cooperation?

Are the parties able to follow this example in a unified effort against crime, and put Jamaica first (at last)?

DAVID ABRIKIAN