LETTER OF THE DAY: Social pact for police, government, society
Published:Saturday | May 8, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
I read with great amazement an article in The Sunday Gleaner of May 2, titled 'Detectives wanted for JCF'. Over the years, we have seen crime getting out of control and have heard about so many different crime plans we have lost track of them. One needs to accept the fact that a crime plan is necessary, but that alone will not suffice for the lowering of crime in the Jamaican society.
Jamaica definitely needs an eclectic approach in dealing with the issues we face on a daily basis. As a country, one needs a social contract in order to deal with such an issue. The nation must recognise that a relationship is needed between the society and the Government.
What is the society? The society refers to the totality of networks and patterns of social interactions and the coming together of members of a bonded group, including interactions between organisations and institutions.
This is where agencies need to come together to form community-based organisations, coming together with faith-based agencies in order to continue the process of community development committees which will, in turn, voice their concerns with parish development committees. These committees will, in turn, look at the community as a whole and the different things that affect every aspect of the community including crimes.
The State must, therefore, look at the issue of political creation that has recognised authority to use and maintain a monopoly on the use of force within clearly defined jurisdiction. We need to now ask ourselves the question: Is the State playing its role in the fight against crime? One will admit that it is very difficult to have a perfect police force, but corruption and laziness are, by far, too rampant as they relate to the agency that is empowered to use necessary force in order to get the job done. This agency has lost the confidence of the Jamaican people, but I still believe that there is hope and that we can lift the morale of this agency.
The Government, on the other hand, has a responsibility. With Sunday's article and Jamaica's reality, one needs to now be aware that most of our crimes are not being properly investigated. This, therefore, is confirming that our Government is failing us. The fact that we have 6,000 unsolved murders is unbelievable, and with only 75 crimes solved is even more appalling. This, therefore, sends a message to both the law-abiding citizens of Jamaica and the criminals. Some of these messages are:
If I commit a murder, I am 95 per cent sure I will get away with it.
Victims of crime are at a greater risk of further victimisation.
The problem of crime is not just here, it will increase.
The victims will be victimised again with long court cases that will bear no fruit.
If I will not be protected by the government, vigilante justice will be the order of the day.
These are sad stories and a very grim future is in store for the people of Jamaica. One needs to now take into consideration that crime will only be lowered by the certainty of and the severity of punishment as it relates to the crime committed. If I am sure I will be caught that will deter me, and if I know the severity of my punishment that also will deter me.
How are we now going to accept the different strategies if the society, the State and the Government do not come together and play their parts? Thus, the society needs to see that these are indeed our problems. The State needs to provide us with the protection and the Government must provide the necessary resources needed to accomplish the task.
But we continue to go around in circles. The Government blames the society, the society blames the State and the State blames the Government. If we need to affect crime, then this eclectic approach needs to be in place.
I am, etc.,
LINCOLN A. DENNIS
Moneague, St Ann