Jamaica & Solving Crime
Crime is a major issue that impacts everyone. It is a mole that seeks to erode the very values upon which any society is created. Crime is no way new to our society, as one of the first recorded crimes can be traced all the way back to the Bible, with the account of Cain and Abel. This speaks to the human condition and our own flawed nature. Jamaica is known to be one of the most murderous countries in the world. As a country, this level of crime hinders growth and development thereby impeding the attainment of a developed country status. As crime rates escalate a feeling of despair is evoked and as a result, there is a cry from every sector of Jamaica, pleading with the government to take quick and decisive actions to immediately eradicate crime. Many suggestions have been put forward on how the government can go about tackling crime both in the short term and long term. However, its complex and multifaceted nature poses a great challenge for those in search of solutions to the crime problem. Indeed many crime-fighting policies articulated and implemented over the years have not been a panacea for this monstrous problem, for which there is evidently no quick fix.
Due to the recent upsurge in crime, many have thought about immediate measures of solving crime even if it involves infringing the rights of the people. In fact, Boyne (2016) posits that “the only anti-crime measures that can have an immediate effect on crime deterrence must involve some curtailment of civil liberties enjoyed in normal times”. The ‘crime monster’ Jamaica is currently faced with can only be tackled by aggressive measures that will impact, what is considered to be civil liberties such as action of movement and freedom of speech. Boyne (2016) suggests that aggressive measures, such, as; “…locking down certain communities, locking away certain know crime perpetrators, going into homes without search warrants, and stopping vehicles on the road” are needed to immediately to put a halt to the crime problem in Jamaica.
This frustration comes from the government’s inability to effectively deal with an issue that seeks to erode the very pillars of success upon which Jamaica was built on. Furthermore, every measure that the government implements never seems to solve the problem, which adds to the dissatisfaction of many Jamaicans.
In keeping with Boyne’s suggestion, Burns (2017) asserts that “murderers and criminal miscreants are no angels”. He goes on to elaborate, stating that
“we need to develop the guts to treat them like the monsters they truly are — period. While we are at it, we cannot allow political correctness to hinder our fight against crime. After all, political correctness might not be the medicine the doctor orders. We, the people, have to demand more of our political directorate, but also prepare to make sacrifices of our own.” (Burns, 2017, p.3)
Arguing from a more moral viewpoint, his frustration comes from the fact that criminals have given up their right to be treated as lawful humans by participating in activities deemed unlawful by society. Consequently, this warrants aggressive measures that must be applied to put an immediate stop to crime by way of curtailing civil liberties for which the author states he is prepared to make sacrifices as a citizen of Jamaica.
On the grounds of immediate impact, it is reasonable that some might see some sort of result which may in turn deter criminals from participating in heinous activities. However, crime stems from a much more complex issue that simply cannot be solved by any one particular method but requires a multiplicity of overarching strategies and greater collaborations of government agencies to simulate any real change.
Notwithstanding, curtailing civil liberties, though it may yield some instant gratification in slowing crime down, opens the door to abuse of power by the police, whom Jamaicans already see as corrupt. Peter Bunting, former Minister of security, in refuting to Boyne claim, asserts that curtailing civil liberties is not the answer as it was done in the past and did not yield any benefits. In fact he states, “when you create these sources of friction, what you get is hostility towards the police, and you reduce the likelihood of real information passing to the police about where guns are hidden and about who are the perpetrators of violent crimes,” (Jamaica Gleaner, 2017). It is evident that curtailing civil liberties on its own will only cause more friction in communities as members would be reluctant to cooperate with authorities on the basis of their rights being trampled on. As a result, curtailing civil liberties would only breed even further hatred for the police and cause more violence towards the police and also give air to police brutality.
Simply put crime cannot be solved through just policing, as the force was never established to protect citizens in the first place. It was put in place based on the plantation model used to serve and protect slave owners and does not agree with modern policing models. Respect for human rights and effective crime-fighting go together, consequently, police reform cannot be seen as resulting in weak policing. (O’neill, 2005). Also, police reform requires the population to have confidence in the police and expects the police to serve the public regardless of political agendas. In post-conflict Jamaica tampering with people’s civil liberties is simply not warranted. Furthermore, the emphasis should not only be placed on the police to combat crime as the role of the police is merely to maintain law and order. Instead, efforts must be placed on targeting the root cause of this problem through further research and careful deliberations that seek to improve the way of life of Jamaicans through education. In this era of consciousness and human rights, any such drastic action of curtailing civil liberties will not be condoned.
In order for crime to be reduced then, a new paradigm must be crafted to ensure each citizen’s skills are utilized to mould a new Jamaica. Kupfer in her work refers to the importance of socialisation, inculcating a valuing of education, as well as the role of a secure and supported childhood. She refers to this as ‘education enabling socialisation’ (Kupfer, 2015, p. 86). More specifically, the government must craft a platform for its citizens to create their own opportunity for growth, as a country is only as developed as its people. For this particular reason, the Education system must be radically reshaped to instil discipline and equip the nation with knowledge and the much-needed skills to support the developments that are required to move the country forward. On human capital, the World Bank said “science and technology graduates and engineers are at a “premium,” adding that their scarcity “has a direct effect on innovation” (Observer, Jamaica, 2013). This solidifies the importance of repurposing the educational system.
The government must craft an educational system that is both accessible and engaging to its users. Through the use of technology, Jamaica should embrace the establishment of a digital economy which incorporates the use of digital trends in learning and the development of new services. Tapping into the opportunity globalization presents where collaboration is the driving force in which all members create a better standard of living, empowering members of society will get them to not only produce but also take care of their basic needs.
The government must inspire patriotism by standing up for the citizens they serve by making decisive decisions that will improve every Jamaican, while simultaneously redefining Jamaica’s Brand and cultural image that affirms positivity, hard work, discipline and creativity while cultivating a winning mentality, making use of positive role models especially for males in society to look up to. Former Police Commissioner of Jamaica Hardley Lewin explained, “We have to restore order; we have to start moving to make Jamaica an orderly society because it is on that order that we are going to build everything else … and it can’t be a flash in the pan and then abandoned later on; it has to be sustained.” (Gleaner, 2017)
In conclusion, with the rise in crime it is clear some immediate action must be taken to drastically stop crime in its track. Though curtailing civil liberties may aid in doing so, it cannot be the only method that is used. However, with the combination of improving the standard of living of each Jamaican through education and cultivating a culture of discipline, then and only then will we see a possible reduction in crime; with the infringement of civil liberties reserved for occasional and severe threats in the stability in the country but not as a substitute for proper policing.
References
Boyne, I. (2017). Is Holness Tough Enough? Jamaica Gleaner.
Burns, C. (2017). Passion aside, desperate times call for desperate measures. Jamaica Observer.
Cross, J. (2017, January 29). Curtailing Rights A Wrong Move — Bunting.
Gleaner. (2017, February 23). Former Police Commissioner Not Impressed With Crime Plan.
Kupfer, B. (2015). Educational upward mobility — practices of social changes. New York: Palggrave Macmillan.
O’neill, W. G. (2005). Police Reform In Post — Conflict Societies: What We Know and What We Still Need To Know. The Security-Development Nexus Program.
