By David Rowe
Op-Ed Contributor
Last week’s assault on Vincent Simpson, the brother of Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller has left Jamaica in shock. When coupled with the recent late-night burglary of the Minister of National Security, it leaves the impression to international onlookers of an unsafe, insecure Jamaica.
Violent crime in Jamaica is no longer highly concentrated in the urban areas. It affects areas where both the urban and the rural poor live, but it has invaded fashionable residential districts such as Norbrook, New Kingston and Ironshore in Montego Bay.
Many wealthy Jamaicans fortify themselves in gated housing projects and make use of radio-patrolled private guards. But who will supervise the private security companies?
The individuals who are directly involved in violent crime are predominantly young, unskilled, unemployed males who are typically high school dropouts and involved in gangs.
Women are normally victims of rape and domestic violence and are exploited by the drug trade as drug mules. Every legitimate national opinion poll will reflect that crime is the nation’s biggest concern. Indeed, Jamaica has one of the world’s highest murder rates
Although Jamaica’s political system is stable and holds free and fair elections, many Jamaicans do not participate in the economic life of the country. This has led to violent disaffection among young people. It is obviously time for Jamaica to seek true assistance in stopping this scourge.
We have reached the point where that has to come from outside the country. Plainly, the introduction of foreign experts to deal with the high level crime is critical.
The local Police have proven to be ineffective against much of the country’s serious crime problems, notably the lotto scam, and no longer be relied upon to tackle Jamaica’s crime on their own.
I recommend a blue-ribbon panel of top law enforcement agents from the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States who would report directly to the Governor General.
It might be time for Jamaica to follow the lead of large, crime-ridden cities in the United States and seek the advice of William Bratton, who, as Police Commissioner, spearheaded the anti-crime strategies that transformed New York City from a dangerous place to live to the safest large city in America.
It’s time for a change in tactics, and it’s time for Jamaica to ask for help to solve this crippling problem.
David P Rowe is an attorney in Jamaica and Florida and an adjunct law professor at the University of Miami School of Law in Coral Gables, Fla.
Note: the opinions expressed in Caribbean Journal Op-Eds are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Caribbean Journal.