A GOVERNMENT minister has told communities to be more vigilant and take an active role in defending themselves against criminals.The position was put forward by Cabinet member, Roger Clarke, the Minister of Agriculture, who was speaking Sunday from a political platform in western St. Thomas, Anthony Hylton's constituency.
"I am not saying anyone should lynch anybody, (or) kill anybody - all I am saying is that communities must become more vigilant in the fight against crime."
Minister Clarke, in his role as security advisor, said communities should make sure to investigate the presence of strangers, to find out who are they and what they are about, as part of their defence strategy.
"People come around, strange people, find out what they are about, be on your guard and defend your communities," he said.
"You must interrogate them and set them free if they are to be set free," he told his audience.
Minister Clarke also appealed for the new crime fighting squad announced by his Government, to be given a chance to do their work before being criticised.
"We are putting a thing together and already some are saying no, no we can't go that way, the people whose doors are being kicked off by criminals have rights too, human rights," he declared.
Putting stress on more community involvement Mr. Clarke said: "You at the ground level have responsibility."
As a boy, said Mr. Clarke, men who passed through his district had to give account of themselves.
Likewise: "You must interrogate them and set them free if they are to be set free," he told his audience.
Hylton who also addressed the conference, spoke of plans in the works that are expected to bring jobs to the area.
Defend yourselves against criminals - Roger Clarke
A GOVERNMENT minister has told communities to be more vigilant and take an active role in defending themselves against criminals.
The position was put forward by Cabinet member, Roger Clarke, the Minister of Agriculture, who was speaking Sunday from a political platform in western St. Thomas, Anthony Hylton's constituency.
"I am not saying anyone should lynch anybody, (or) kill anybody - all I am saying is that communities must become more vigilant in the fight against crime."
Minister Clarke, in his role as security advisor, said communities should make sure to investigate the presence of strangers, to find out who are they and what they are about, as part of their defence strategy.
"People come around, strange people, find out what they are about, be on your guard and defend your communities," he said.
"You must interrogate them and set them free if they are to be set free," he told his audience.
Minister Clarke also appealed for the new crime fighting squad announced by his Government, to be given a chance to do their work before being criticised.
"We are putting a thing together and already some are saying no, no we can't go that way, the people whose doors are being kicked off by criminals have rights too, human rights," he declared.
Putting stress on more community involvement Mr. Clarke said: "You at the ground level have responsibility."
As a boy, said Mr. Clarke, men who passed through his district had to give account of themselves.
Likewise: "You must interrogate them and set them free if they are to be set free," he told his audience.
Hylton who also addressed the conference, spoke of plans in the works that are expected to bring jobs to the area.