Can’t drag your feet on crime fight, PM
Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang, on June 12, 2020, said as much when he spoke to journalists outside the premises in Horizon Park, St Catherine, where four policemen had been shot while carrying out their duties. Detective Corporal Dane Biggs and Constable Decardo Hylton died at the scene, while Superintendent Leon Clunis died later in hospital. A fourth policeman survived his injuries.
Recall Dr Chang said, “This is the character of some of the criminal leaders we are facing today. They have resources; they have money, they buy guns, and they, in fact, will put themselves in unusual situations. They rent houses of the highest value; it is a pattern of criminality that is causing challenges. The police have clearly taken steps to have a better understanding and will, in fact, I am confident, overcome the challenges.” (Jamaica Observer, June 13, 2020)
Some media reported that high-powered weapons were used to shoot the policemen. Only those who suffer with a metastasised conscience do not recognise that minimum-wage employees cannot afford to import high-powered weapons and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition into Jamaica. The merchants of death involved in this illicit trade have very deep pockets and matching connections. They are making an investment with an expected return. Their ultimate objective is clear for those who have eyes to see.
Pick yuh choice!
Straightaway some, including a few who don the cloak of human rights, are going to shout, “Hey, did you see this news item: ‘Four cops interdicted following viral gun salute video’?” The news item said, among other things: “The video, which was reportedly shot at a nine-night in a rural St Andrew community, showed members of the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force) in breach of the Disaster Risk Management Act, the Firearms Act, and the Noise Abatement Act, among others.” (The Gleaner, September 29, 2020)
I am not one of those who foolishly believe that the JCF and JDF are so bad that we are better off taking our chances with the criminals. Robin Hood is mere folklore that seeped into mainstream literature and, thereafter, popular culture/ consciousness.
Admittedly, the JCF and the JDF are not perfect. I have fiercely criticised several of their actions in previous columns, but I have also poured commendations on them on many occasions when I felt they earned plaudits. Those who do not recognise that the JCF and JDF are one of the few remaining barriers between us and marauding criminals/ merchants of death are living in “Pimper’s Paradise”. Think Bob Marley. As we say in local parlance: “Pick yuh choice!”
We must not delude ourselves. There are some super predators in Jamaica who have decided to live and die by the gun. If they are not neutralised very quickly, who knows, it might even get it into their heads that they can overthrow our democratically elected Government.
This is not far-fetched. It has happened in other countries.
Formulaic statements of regrets/condolence by successive ministers of national security and prime ministers when there are deadly attacks upon the State are necessary but not sufficient. Transformational actions are needed.
It is well established that the best deterrent to crime is the certainty of being caught. It is widely known in our country that if you commit a crime you have more than a damn good chance to get away scot-free. It is not rocket science; therefore, our crime rate is one of the highest in the world.
I recognise also that we have in this country a veritable assembly line of social conditions which feed the development of criminal behaviours. Here is evidence of how that assembly line is severely ruinous in its reach. This is a list of notorious gunmen/ gang leaders who peddled death and heaped great emotional and financial destruction on individuals, families, and the public purse for less than a generation. Some sociologists say a generation is, typically, 40 years, nowadays. Some say a generation is 20-30 years. I won’t deliberate either perspective.
What is not up for the debate is fact that many of these men who all perished in the parish of St James were among the most wanted in Jamaica.
• 1982: Patrick “Swang” Stephen
• 1986: Owen “Jaggarue” Graham
• 1987: Owen “Pugan” Pearson
• 1992: Fitzroy “The General” Smart
• 1994: Lenroy “Len” Bircher • 1995: Icha “Dread” Lawrence
• 1995: Miguel Jarrett • 1998: Albert “Sir Paul” James
• 2001: Nino “Badda Badda” Alexander
• 2002: Ansel “Zadda” Mellish
• 2002: Frank “Bruno” Stone • 2002: Karlie “Matalan” Williams
• 2004: Eric “Sandokan” Brown
• 2005: Michael “Banna” Granstan
• 2006: Delano “Bigga
Crime” Williams
• 2006: Michael “Lassie” Forbes
• 2007: Garfield “Don” Sawyers
• 2007: Rohan “Don” Gordon • 2007: Gerado “Rado” Taylor • 2010: Richard “Richie Blacks” Lawn
• 2010: Anthony “Bollo” Christie,
• 2010: Cedric “Doggie” Murray
• 2014: Eldon Calvert
• 2017: Tadmar “Rifle King” Whyte
• 2017: Omar “King Evil” Lewis
• 2017: Oswyn “Ski Mask” Jarrett
• 2018: Oshane “Ghandi” Duhaney
• 2018: Ryan “Ratty” Peterkin • 2019: Shaniel Luton • 2020: Delano “Prekeh” Wilmot (The Gleaner, July 26, 2020)
Former Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair said some years ago that his Administration was going to be “tough on crime [and] tough on the causes of crime”. It’s time for action!
Some among us pontificate that just over 1,000 murders per year is a great achievement for this country. That is fool’s gold. I hope this Administration does not fall into that trap of stunted ambition because Jamaica deserves better.
cyclical Politics
Two Sundays ago, I said among other things in my The Agenda column: “I think political fortunes move in a circle on a central axis.” These piercing headlines — ‘More PNP turmoil’ (Jamaica Observer, September 29, 2020), ‘PNP on the horns of a dilemma’ (Jamaica Observer, September 21, 2020), ‘Clash breaks out at NEC meeting’ (The Gleaner, September 28, 2020), ‘Julian Robinson to step down as PNP general secretary’ (The Gleaner, September 27, 2020), ‘Fitz Jackson to step down as PNP chairman’ (Nationwide News Network, September 28, 2020), and ‘Phillips reportedly jabs ‘selfish’ Comrades in final NEC address as PNP president’ (Nationwide News Network, September 28, 2020) — are confirmations to some that a giant Jurassiclike plume has engulfed 89 Old Hope Road. They are mistaken!
There is a season for everything. Political fortunes are no exception.