International training good for JDF and JCF

THE EDITOR, Madam:

ON MARCH 31, The Sunday Gleaner published an article titled ‘Jamaica to host training for joint CARICOM, Canada security task force’.

The announcement of this task force is welcome news. We can look beyond the inferred benefits this task force may have on stabilising the situation in Haiti, and see that Jamaica can also benefit.

Haitian police are reported to be outgunned and undermanned. Further, Haitian police may have lacked sufficient training, tactics, and leadership to have prevented the near total takeover of their country by armed gangs.

The case may be the same for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), if Jamaica were thrust into Haiti’s situation. While we have not devolved to the state of lawlessness as that of Haiti, increases in violent crime decade over decade cannot be ignored.

Recent letters published by The Gleaner on March 30 and April 1 dealt with the issue of lotto scammers. As Jamaican and international authorities crack down on scamming, the easy money will dry up. How then will these scammers pay for their lavish mansions, and luxury cars?

The answer is simple enough. They will prey more heavily upon local communities. Businesses will be beset by violence and crime. Our small island already struggles with a brain drain of its brightest pupils. This problem will be exacerbated if honest livelihoods are threatened. Thus, it is imperative that the JDF and JCF train and plan for situations like that currently inflicting Haiti.

After the scamming money dries up, criminals will not suddenly put down their guns and pick up ploughs or books. They will turn their guns toward us. It is good that the JDF and JCF will receive the training and experience necessary to prevent Jamaica from falling into the same pit as Haiti.

MATTHEW KAMEKA