Phillips

Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, has said that any effective solution to crime and violence will require the re-socialisation of behaviours and transformation of values and attitudes of those in communities beset by violence and disorder.

He was speaking at the graduation ceremony for 138 participants in the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) and the National Youth Service's Micro Entrepreneurial Corps, held last Friday at the Waterfalls in Liguanea, St. Andrew.

He noted that, to return some normalcy to communities being overrun by gangs and criminality, the security forces will have to redouble their efforts to treat every citizen with respect.

"Unless the security forces and the people on a whole operate as one, it will not be possible to isolate the criminals and return peaceful behaviour to the communities," he argued.

According to Dr. Phillips, many of the residents of troubled communities, particularly the young, feel that they have been abandoned and failed by the society and have a sense of alienation, because of the absence of moral example from the wider society. The solution, he said, must start with removing the alienation, and helping to build self-esteem among young people.

Re-investing in inner cities

Pointing out that effort must be made to try to remedy some of the failings of institutions which have not delivered to the satisfaction of some young people, he called on the business community to start re-investing in inner-city areas, so that jobs can be available for young people.

"The business community also has to accept the challenge not to discriminate against people because of their address," he said, noting that everyone must be given a fair chance to demonstrate their skills and talents.

He stated further that the public sector has a responsibility to deliver social services effectively, and to recognise its role in helping to build the self respect of people living in depressed communities, while non-governmental organisations can also do more to help revive cultural life and develop opportunities.

The CSJP was introduced in 2001 and is regarded as one of the most innovative and integrated projects being implemented in Jamaica to deal with crime and security challenges.

The programme is being administered by the Ministry of National Security, and has so farmade significant strides in transforming the social and economic well-being of residents in a number of inner-city communities.

It is funded by the Government and the Inter-American Development Bank at a cost of $20 million.