Jamaica: A Drastic Decrease in Murders and Serious Crime
Intelligence driven policing
In Negril, Jamaica, ill-advised men, seemingly targeting a Beryllium cash-transit courier vehicle, were killed in a dramatic, prolonged shoot-out with members of Jamaican security services.
Weapons reportedly seized by the police at the end of the operation include 2 M16 rifles, an AK 47, one Glock, a 9 mm pistol, and a .38 pistol. The shoot-out lasted so long that surprised, unsuspecting townsfolk were able to capture lengthy video images as it unfolded.
It appears this evidence captured by the onlookers was enough to forestall the well-rehearsed, but spontaneous Jamaican community protests claiming police brutality. Fortunately, the security personnel who engaged the gun-toting bandits were not harmed. It is refreshing, knowing well-trained and resourced Jamaican police are adopting and deploying modern and intelligent, intelligence-driven policing techniques with the desired positive results.
The honourable Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, commended the security forces for the brilliant execution of their crime prevention and community safety responsibilities.
He lamented the hapless loss of life but emphasised such loss was necessitated by the misguided and imprudent challenge to the security forces during the normal execution of their safety role. Mothers are now left without sons, children without fathers, uncles, nephews, cousins, and brothers.
The elimination of negative role models, hell-bent on a life of crime, unfortunately, and disturbingly, will not rid society of all those so inclined. Now, some misguided family members connected to the deceased may elect to perpetrate false stories about their innocence, uprightness, and purity of character, which should be avenged.
Fortunately, some who are involuntarily or voluntarily engaged in illegal and criminal activity will acknowledge this excellent police work as an omen and exit such wasteful and unwise activities.
Acknowledging the Jamaican crime reality
Unqualified credit must be lavished upon the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, for his visionary, intransigent leadership and commitment to tackling crime in Jamaica.
The sceptics ridiculed him when, years ago, on the verge of tears and his distraught voice dripping with distressed emotion, he invested all his political capital in reducing the scourge of violent crime decimating Jamaica.
Some before him had cast all their lot on prayers. To them, investing in resources for the security forces was inconceivable. Increasing the number of police personnel and training was considered wishful thinking. Giving the dons and murderers a seat at the negotiating table was another of their proposals to alleviate crime.
Acquiescing to, and negotiations with dons and other criminal elements, was proposed as the panacea. Still, others favoured leaving the country as an easy, safe way out. Many Jamaicans deliberately decided to remain mute, deaf, and blind and not share useful actionable intelligence with the security forces.
The wildly and correctly held perception that the security forces could not be trusted with such information, and the resultant fear for their lives, supported this behaviour for the regular law-abiding citizens. Any collaboration with the security forces would result in the prompt unmasking and predictable, sure death of the police informant.
Fidelity to crime reduction strategies
However, with relentless steadfastness, Mr Holness introduced crime-reducing and life-changing programs. ZOSOs (zones of specialty operations) were unfurled in Mount Salem in St James; Denham Town, August Town, Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens, and Norwood in Kingston; and sections of Savanna-la-mar in Westmoreland.
Exhausted from the ravages of crime, the citizens of these communities accepted the imposed restrictions. Now, amazingly, they are bathed in a sense of calm, with the absence of barking guns, and with comfortable, peaceful, restful sleep at nights, free from the dictates of heartless, uncaring, cruel dons.
Free from rapes. No more involuntary handing over of daughters to the evil dons at the barrel of a gun. Free to pursue gainful employment and plot their own course for their future. Basking in this refreshing new reality that communities can be peaceful, rarely is the phrase ZOSOs mentioned.
The SOEs (states of emergency) once routinely deployed are no longer needed. Many dons and crime producers have been expelled from their comfort zones, devoid of authority. In what appears to be a recent new precedent, men of interest to the police, when advised, are turning themselves in.
Other effective crime management strategies that are delivering effective results include:
- The cash for guns programme.
- Reward for actionable information that leads to arrest and conviction.
- Continued episodic deployment of curfews.
- Ongoing expansion and use of the Jamaica Eye.
- Increased recruitment and training of police.
- Provision of required resources to the police, including modernisation of police stations and equipment.
- Increase of programmes impacting youths in the community and community policing.
- Dedication of the top brass of the police to ongoing engagement with citizens in peaceful communities.
- The effective disposition of criminal and other cases by the judiciary.
The deployment of the above approaches has delivered measurable success despite the herculean challenges faced by the Jamaican security forces. First world countries continue the accelerated expulsion of deportees.
Many of these deportees have no family in or connection to Jamaica and developed their criminal enterprises and expertise in those first world countries. The USA (United States of America) has been ineffective in cauterising the hunger for illicit drugs within its own borders.
There is unrestricted, continued free flow of guns from developed countries to Jamaica. Many of these high-powered rifles are used to commit horrendous crimes in third world countries. Continued partnership between the USA and Jamaica is necessary to bolster Jamaica’s economic growth and fiercely address crime reduction.
Continued commitment to crime reduction and economic growth
The most recent July 25, 2024, level 3 US travel advisory to its citizens going to Jamaica states in part: “the homicide rate reported by the government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common.”
And “the US embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizens tourists at resorts. U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory responses to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence.”
The Prime Minister, the honourable Andrew Holness, commenting on this recent US travel advisory acknowledged some of the challenges Jamaica continues to face regarding the delivery of healthcare and improving the security environment.
He emphasised the continued dedication of the government to deploying resources aimed at cauterising crime. Key to the success in crime reduction is continued improvement and growth in the Jamaican economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism and US citizens travelling to Jamaica for vacations.
An objective, reasonable assessment, most believe, will conclude that Jamaica is slowly and deliberately harnessing the crime monster supported by the clearly improving metrics. Citizens’ commitment to crime reduction appears to be growing.
Cooperation with the police, who are more professional, is improving. And most importantly, the average man and woman on the street want to see this improvement accelerate and take deep root.
Feeling entirely safe again is everyone’s dream. And living in a Jamaican paradise with a stable, growing, vibrant economy, is becoming more possible for those who believe.
Guest Author: Leon Wright
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