THE EDITOR, Sir:
GUNMEN ARE getting more brazen. One militia was bold enough to threaten lockdown of a parish capital. And why? Quite apart from their feeling strong enough to do so, a slain gang leader was to be buried and everybody was being required to 'show respect'. These militias already present a substantial challenge to the authority of the state in many communities. Indeed in some areas we avoid major civil conflict only by keeping the security forces out of them, effectively ceding control to the local militia.
The security forces prevented the lockdown of Spanish Town this time, but what about tomorrow? Will we continue to respond by pouring in more firepower than they have? This is a self-defeating policy, a dense macabre if you will, that can only lead us to ruin. Having greater firepower than the bad guys cannot be the central element of the strategy. For one thing, it might not be an attainable goal. Even if the security forces had overwhelmingly superior firepower, what would we be looking to do? Win pitched battles in the streets? The world's press would love that.
No. We have to craft strategies to infiltrate and disrupt their operations, arresting or otherwise neutralising their leaders and foot soldiers. This calls for greater will than our leaders have demonstrated so far.
Recently, the Minister of National Security challenged his parliamentary colleagues to sever their links with criminals. We must believe that he spoke on good evidence, yet we observed no detentions or questioning of parliamentarians. His resolve was tested when a Member of Parliament was linked to a car in which a notorious gang leader was killed. This is the same gang that threatened to lock down Spanish Town for the funeral of that gang leader. Was the honourable member brought in for questioning? No! The member was interviewed by the police at one of Kingston's top hotels.
Thanks, Minister for sparing us a long season of false hopes. It was merciful to disabuse us early of expectations of across the board action.
Violent crime remains a major national problem, defying every effort so far at solution. The troubling thing about these double standards is that they raise doubt about the commitment of our leaders to the fight.
I am, etc.,
MICHAEL NICHOLSON
kovsky54@yahoo.com
Kingston 6
