Lambert Brown, Guest ColumnistWhen I was a little boy, I used to believe that the cow jumped over the moon and that the dish really ran away with the spoon. Then I used to believe also that the countries of Egypt and Israel were in the sky. Now I am a man, I similarly believe that the early-morning fiasco of a raid on Tivoli Gardens was 'a success' as declared by the Commissioner of Police.
The mission, we were told by the police, was to apprehend three specific "wanted men" as well as to find guns and ammunitions. No guns, ammunitions nor "wanted men" were found. How then can the Commissioner honestly declare the mission a success? It seems the police chief is playing right into the hands of those who believe that there was in fact an ulterior motive to what these people call a 'pre-election' raid.
It is time for us to hold our police force accountable for their numerous amateurish and unprofessional approaches to crime fighting. We tend to be much too gullible, ready and willing to accept the steady diet of incredible public relations statements being fed us from the leaders of our police force. Critical evaluation is an imperative if we are to save our country from further incompetence or worse, the idiocy that passes for policing strategies.
police response
Think about it. Recently, a baby, only three months old, was shot and killed by gunmen on Jacques Road. So too were a number of other persons, including the baby's mother. What was the response of the leadership of our police force? They ordered a curfew in the area for two days and then gleefully announced that they had restored 'calm' to the area. Did they recover even one gun during those 48 hours of curfew? Absolutely not. The guns are left there to create more mayhem. What a success!
On Wednesday last, four members of a family were massacred on Barnes Avenue, off Maxfield Avenue in south St Andrew. Nine-year-old little Sasha- Kay hollered out in vain for help. All this time, the gunmen kept the law-abiding citizens at bay, while members of the Brown's household roasted in the inferno started by the 'gun boys'. No fire brigade, no police and no soldiers were available to serve and protect the tax-paying citizens of the inner-city community. The state failed miserably in its first duty to its citizens. Can the Commissioner of Police and all his deputies tell the nation why with all the raids supposedly carried out in south St. Andrew so much fire power remains in the hands of the "dawg-hearted"? Tell us Sir, do you and your deputies consider the above outcome a success or failure of police strategy?
new approach to governance
A new approach to governance is necessary if we are to win the war against the gun-toting criminals. Those who are now calling for a state of national emergency are essentially proposing draconian measures to cover the incompetence of the state and its agents. It is the poor who will be brutalised and be put to lie down on hot asphalt for hours. Never forget that we had a state of emergency in 1976. We also had the Gun Court and the Suppression of Crime Act for many years beginning in 1974. Despite all the suspension and suppression of the rights of the Jamaican people, crime and in particular murders and shootings, are worse today. Bankrupt ideas and political opportunism as reflected by the recent speech by Senator Delano Franklyn will not solve the crime problem either. Only pyrrhic victories can be won by creating fear.
Let me put forward a few suggestions for consideration by policy makers, civil society and all who sincerely love Jamaica.
Firstly, that the position of Minister of National Security be reserved for a non-partisan person to be nominated by the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and approval by two thirds of the Senate. This approach could hold for the next 20 years and would deal with the problem of political distrust. Alternatively, there should be a Minister of State appointed from the Opposition to work jointly with the minister appointed by the Government.
Secondly, all the police commanders should be directed to concentrate their major resources on ridding the communities of illegal guns. The performance of the commanders should be judged on the recovery of illegal guns. Equally, a reorganisation of the budget to support this endeavour would be necessary.
Thirdly, there should be created a cadre of thousands of trained volunteers to help the police force in their numerous duties. This could be like the United States National Guards.
Fourthly, the private sector companies should commit resources in cash or kind as an incentive to be given to the police for recovery of firearms. The details of the incentive scheme should be worked out by the Police High Command, the police, unions and experienced private sector human resources personnel.
mass mobilisation
Fifthly, I propose the mass mobilisation of all law-abiding citizens into action against the illegal guns. This would involve meetings in all communities and districts, churches, schools, work places and whereever else the people gather. The mass media, entertainers and all cultural personnel should be asked to commit their skills in this non-partisan national anti-illegal guns campaign. Naturally, this requires national political unity even on this single issue and the will to conduct a sustained campaign.
These are but a few proposals. They are not exhaustive and space does not allow for development of all the pros and cons of each point. Let the debate be short and action be swift. The bleeding of our nation must end.
Lambert Brown is a vice-president of the University and Allied Workers Union and can be contacted at labpoyh@yahoo.com.
