IN THE ten days since the island's business sector led a shutdown protest of commercial activity to highlight the need to address the frightening state of crime in the country, there has emerged an increasing danger of losing focus on the real problem.While the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica-led protest was the most dramatic joint effort to draw attention to the pressing problem, concerns had been expressed in various forums over many months. So in the ten days, there have been some self-examination by politicians and business operators, dialogue among civic action groups and the security forces, blame and counter blame. But none of this will amount to much if we take our eyes off the ball.
While it is true that we all have a duty as responsible citizens to lend our support to anti-crime efforts, it is still the first duty of the state to see to the protection of its citizens. The Government and the state security agencies must be held accountable to ensure that the systems and policies are in place to protect decent citizens and keep the criminals at bay. That, among other reasons, is why we pay taxes.
Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas' confirmation last week that corruption is rife within the police service, therefore, places an even greater burden of responsibility on the Government to implement policies to reduce this threat to citizens. When senior police officers are involved in the kind of drug running and ammunition sale suggested by the head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force we are closer to the edge of anarchy.
As long as the society allows itself to get distracted by a sterile debate over who is more responsible or who has greater moral authority to point fingers, we remain further away from slaying the crime monster. This monster will not self-destruct. Its head must be lopped off.
The commitment by the political leaders to have their members indicate in writing that they will not associate with criminals must be followed up with a definitive set of sanctions to impose on those who breach these guidelines. We therefore must revisit the recommendations of the Clarke Committee dealing with accountability, the declaration of assets and sources of party funding.
We have had political peace treaties in the past and we have had election campaign code-signing sessions at King's House. These have sometimes been honoured more in the breach than the observance. The commitment to fighting crime cannot be treated with the same indifference.
Politicians must be held accountable; business operators must co-operate to flush out the extortionists; and private citizens should avail themselves of the telephone services to report crime without revealing their identities.
We must all act now.!
