Acting Minister of National Security, Senator Dwight Nelson, has said Jamaicans must become a part of the effort to reduce crime and violence in the country.

He noted that, while there have been concerted efforts to deal with the scourge, including expanding and reinventing the police force, "the force alone cannot solve or resolve the problem of the high crime rate in the country".

"Minister (Derrick) Smith and the commissioner cannot solve crime and violence by themselves. It cannot be solved overnight either (and it) is going to take the entire society in doing so overtime," he stressed.

Senator Nelson was speaking recently at the ministry's Oxford Road offices, at the handing-over ceremony of the Peace and Love Crusade.

Economic improvements

He noted that the Government is determined to take the country in a direction, which leads to social and economic improvements. "If there is to be economic improvements, if all the plans and objectives that are outlined for the future are going to succeed, then there is a fundamental need to bring the level of crime and violence in the country under control," he stated.

The Peace and Love Crusade themed: 'Facilitating a Peace, Love and Forgiveness Metamorphosis', is a mentorship programme which aims to address many of the social issues of the country.

Organised by church groups and private individuals, it seeks to empower the large pool of unemployable people in the society and enhance the education and skills of individuals, while working with young graduates and the unemployed to create a new entrepreneurial class.

Through proposed mentorship villages in Caymanas, St Catherine and St Elizabeth, the Crusade will contribute significantly to the reduction of crime and violence, while enhancing family life and developing a culture of peace and love.

The mentorship villages will have sporting facilities, restaurant blocks, which will emphasise healthy lifestyles, an office complex, workshops, while offering farming and horticulture.