The next set of dons and gangs
Published:Tuesday | June 1, 2010 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE SECURITY forces have embarked on a strategy to dismantle criminal gangs across the island by targeting the gang leaders. This approach has some merits, since a significant amount of the crime and violence in the country is attributed to gang activities. It is heartening to see that a number of gang leaders have, so far, turned themselves in and I urge the others to do likewise.
My concerns, however, are: Who and what will now fill the vacuum that will be created by this strategy? Who will now provide the leadership that the gang leaders provided for their communities? Will the security forces provide the security that the inner-city communities got from the gangs? What will replace the economic activities that the gangs and their leaders generated? Who will provide justice that the gang leaders dispensed?
A surrendered state
We can deny it as much as we want, but the dons and their gangs provided important economic and social functions to an increasing number of communities in Jamaica. The truth is, for several decades now, we have ceded sections of the country to the underworld and divested critical state functions to dons and their republics.
Going forward, there must be a collaborative and concerted effort by the state, private sector, civil society, church and all well thinking Jamaicans to bring about transformation to inner-city communities and Jamaica in general. We must not make the mistake of perpetuating patronage by just giving handouts. Emphasis must be placed on sustainable development and community transformation.
Education, skills training, income generation, sanitation, life skills and personal development must be given priority. Most importantly, attention must be focused on the thousands of young men all over the country who are at risk of becoming the next generation of dons and gang members.
I am, etc.,
Orville Plummer