Nagra Plunkett, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU: FOLLOWING THE private sector's declaration for Jamaicans to unite in the fight against lawlessness, several civic committees in western Jamaica say they are willing to report criminal activities to the police.
The 13-point declaration was read during a rally at Emanci-pation Park in St. Andrew, which marked the suspension of commercial activities islandwide early Wednesday afternoon to protest against the country's escalating crime problem.
ESSENTIAL
"That type of cooperation and level of participation is essential, so long as we can ensure confidentiality," stated Mark Kerr-Jarrett, chairman of the St. James Crime Management Committee, when asked if his group would be willing to hand over the names of persons they suspect are involved in criminal activities.
Three weeks ago, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields, issued a call for Members of Parliament to lead the charge in ridding their constituencies of criminal elements.
DCP Shields' demand has been met with mixed reactions from the political directorate.
Wayne Cummings, president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, explained that while he could not speak for the security task force in Negril, chaired by the chamber, he is willing to share information with the police.
"Personally, if I have information and it would do some good, I would hand it over," he told The Sunday Gleaner.
Mr. Cummings explained that the task force works closely with the police and neighbourhood watches to promote policies for the security of the resort town.
AN OBLIGATION
According to president of the Treasure Beach Neighbourhood Watch, George Hill, the passing on of information on the persons suspected of illicit activities is one of the obligations of neighbourhood watch movements.
For O. Dave Allen, each situation has to be carefully measured before going to the police.
He chairs the social advocacy group COMAND (Community Organisation for Management and Sustainable Development), which represents Operation PRIDE sites and marginalised communities in Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland.
"I interface with all sorts of persons working in marginalised communities," he pointed out.
"While I am not in support of criminal activities or gunmen and would report them, at the same time, I deal with individuals who come to unburden themselves, and you have to be non-judgmental in cases like that.
