Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Edward Seaga shows a chart to reporters at the party's headquarters yesterday, which suggests when the economy declines, there is a rise in crime. Seated beside Mr. Seaga is the party's spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw. JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) leader Edward Seaga said the extortion racket operating in sections of the Corporate Area could be dealt with if the police were given the resources and freedom to do their jobs.
According to Mr. Seaga, 90 per cent of the extortion takes place in a People's National Party (PNP) area in downtown Kingston. He, however, refused to call the name of the area.
"That area is under the political control of the party and it is up to the government to give the instruction that the extortion must stop," Mr. Seaga said at a press conference in Kingston yesterday. "If the police are prevented from dealing with that particular area then extortion will continue."
The extortion racket reportedly rakes in more than $400 million a year for criminal elements. In his address to the nation on Sunday, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson announced the establishment of a crime unit which would, among other things, be responsible for developing a programme to stem the extortion racket.
Meanwhile, Mr. Seaga yesterday insisted the government would not be successful in dealing with the problem of crime until it gets the economy growing. Mr. Seaga argued figures clearly showed whenever there was a decline in the economy, there was a rise in crime.
He also said weaknesses in the educational system contributed to an increase in crime. According to Mr. Seaga, many crimes could be explained by low educational levels.
"Until you correct the economy and education system, you will never be able to return to the levels of crime that can be tolerated within the social fabric," Mr. Seaga said.
