TODAY'S FRONT-PAGE story, which describes the well-calculated hustle of one female con artist, points to what seems to be a new trend of cerebral criminality now on the rise in Jamaica. When considered against the background of the recent police/female impersonation saga, the situation is even more troubling.
These conniving women carry out their malevolent deeds without guns or knives. Instead, they use their charm and wit to outfox their prey. It is arguable, however, that the approach adopted by these swindling females is as cold and heartless as the criminal exploits of the less intelligent crooks. This, as it seems that an integral component of the female hustlers' strategy involves befriending their victims before taking them for all they are worth.
What we are witnessing is a change of roles in the criminal underworld. Traditionally, the function of women in this area has been confined primarily to supportive roles.
While the men went out and did the dirty work, the women would wash blood-stained clothes, for instance, and shelter those on the run. Now, it seems, these women have taken a more proactive stance.
This requires basic adjustments on the part of law enforcement, particularly for a nation which is yet to employ, or for that matter even identify, a plausible strategy with which to tackle the overwhelming surge of criminality already wreaking havoc on the land.
It may well be that we are seeing yet another consequence of the growing supremacy of girls over boys in educational pursuit. Indeed, the cerebral aspect of these new types of crimes may be a reflection of that female surge.
It is important that the authorities quickly devise a strategy to subjugate this new form of crime. The criminals have stepped up their game. The authorities entrusted with the duty to protect, serve and reassure, must do the same.
Our nation's people, already faced with the day-to-day struggles to merely survive in a nation where that God-given right is constantly in jeopardy, now have a new predator to be wary of.
While being on the lookout for gun-touting hoodlums, they must now also remain constantly cognisant of these new smooth-talking bandits.
Where does it end? We are now at a crucial stage where the female-led cerebral criminality is still a fledgling activity. It must be nipped in the bud without delay.
