Dennie Quill, Contributor

When people come up with fresh new ideas, I often ask myself: Why didn't I think of that?" This week I had one of those 'Why' moments when I read about 13-year-old Choc'late Allen's dusk-to-dawn anti-crime fast in Trinidad and Tobago.

Over the life of this column I have written consistently about the negative impact of crime on our country, and lamented the violence that has bled into our neighbourhoods as I have appealed for innovative crime-fighting measures to make our country safer.

But I never thought of staging a one-person protest to encourage the citizenry to take back our country from the marauding gunmen who kill and rob with impunity.

If ever a country needed such an initiative - Jamaica does. Trinidad had 300-plus murders last year compared to more than 1,300 here (not counting those dozens missing and presumed dead). I see nothing to celebrate in a 25 per cent reduction in crime. The signs are clear that this year will be as bloody, with more than 50 murders so far. Trinidad has recorded six since January 1.

Put our creative caps on

Local churches have tried praying but, apparently, God is so familiar with those voices he has stopped listening. The Almighty needs to hear other voices and wants us to put on our creative caps and come up with new ideas.

So here is this articulate dread-locked teenager who started a group called Caribbean Vizion with the view of undertaking several anti-crime initiatives in her country. Specifically, she is appealing to delinquent youth to lay down arms and to turn their backs on criminality and make their country 100 per cent crime-free.

She decided to sit in the foyer of Trinidad's National Library from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for three days, fortified with bottles of water only, to focus on the issue of crime and violence. She has grabbed a nation by the scruff of its neck and embarrassed adults are taking notice. At the time of writing she has decided to extend her fast by two more days.

While Choc'late may not achieve her objective of a 100 per cent crime-free society her action has tremendous potential. For one, it is saying loudly that individual action matters. We cannot simply cower behind grilled doors and tinted motor vehicles although we have grown tired of new police squads and miles of talks and discussions. The people's frustration has boiled over and this will lead to more examples of vigilante justice.

The battle against the brazen-criminal elements cannot be fought on one front only. The security forces can only be successful if: they are well-equipped and paid better; they purge their ranks of corrupt members; they are supported by an efficient and well-staffed Office of Public Prosecutions and a judiciary that will inflict stiffer punishment, and they have access to a modern, functioning forensic lab.

Stop embracing gunmen

No, crime cannot be fought on one front only. Politicians, specifically Members of Parliament, need to turn their backs on criminals and stop embracing gunmen as party supporters, stop rewarding them with lucrative contracts, stop describing them as 'area leaders'. The only instrument of leadership they have is their high-calibre weapons. They have killed their way into controlling communities all over the city. This is why they can lure young girls into their beds and rape them with impunity to the distress of their mothers, and recruit young men into gangs and torch those who are on the opposite side of the political fence. Area leader, my foot!

I am not a copycat so I would not advocate fasting like Cho'clate, but I believe we need to take strong citizen action to save our country from ruin. Instead of going home to a gated community of oblivion and sipping a glass of red wine, call up the neighbours and come up with a plan. It may be chaotic in the beginning, but remember that success in the streets, with the requisite media coverage, always leads to dialogue and action.