PRIME MINISTER P. J. Patterson, seeking to allay the concerns, indeed, the fears of the nation, announced on Tuesday that strong new measures will be coming to fight the unprecedented level of violence now plaguing the society.As Police Commissioner, Francis Forbes, explained it, the police will be focusing on gang leaders, with the aim of putting them before the courts and ultimately, behind bars.
The trade in narcotic drugs will be high on the agenda too, with dedicated resources being targeted at illegal dealers in guns and ammunition, which is logical since the drug trade and the gun trade go hand in hand.
Dr. Peter Phillips, the Minister of National Security, raised the collective hope even higher when he disclosed that the security forces had been asked to review their tactics to move from attempts at containment, to dismantling the criminal networks.
Among the measures contemplated, is a National Commission on Crime but knowing how commissions and committees work in this country, the benefits from this seem more likely to be gained in the mid to long term.
Not surprisingly, the authorities will revert to the perennial measure of putting Jamaica Defence Force soldiers on the streets of inner-city communities, except that this time, they will be given some degree of training for their crime-fighting support role.
On paper, the measures look tough and practicable, but if they are to achieve the desired results, there are certain objectives the police must get right this time. They have to translate what is so readily called "intelligence", into the hard evidence that is able to secure the conviction of murderous, scheming gangsters. They have to be really pro-active in going after their ruthless quarries, with the support of the soldiers. During their assignments in the inner cities, the security forces, especially the soldiers, have to be guided this time by new rules of engagement during their assignments which will in no way violate the civil rights of the residents of those areas.
Only then will the measures bear fruit and begin to rid the country of the increasing incidence of gun violence which include the inexplicable and senseless killing of children. Too frequently and in too many communities have criminal gunmen been challenging the very authority of the state - and with seeming impunity. It is now time to put a stop to it.
