ST. CATHERINE:
THE ST. CATHERINE Chamber of Commerce has joined the call for immediate and decisive action to reduce the high level of crime and violence in the island.
At its monthly sitting last Wednesday, members of the Chamber unanimously called for the immediate resumption of hanging as one of the solutions to reduce crime and violence.
Chamber member and attorney-at-law Hubert Bartholomew, supporting the call for the resumption of hanging, lamented that people have been speaking out about the crime problem for some time now, but it seemed that action was taken only when the "big men cry out".
The businesspeople said the crime fighting capabilities of the security forces were lacking and therefore they needed to acquire updated technology to keep up with criminals, most of whom they said were deportees with top level technological skills.
And while some members were of the view that some of the violent crimes were being committed in an effort to destabilise the economy, they pointed out that any approach to solving the problem must be a united one.
Chamber members also argued that any effort to fight crime must involve retooling the security forces, as well as retraining its members. There also needs to be a change in the political culture of the society and greater focus on employment, education and skills training, they said.
President of the Chamber, O. B. Johnson, said crime in St. Catherine was a major cause for concern, especially with the robbery and killing of several businessmen in the parish in recent weeks.
