A BIPARTISAN approach to the problem of crime appears to have been suspended. That is the inference from the separate anti-crime plans unveiled by the Government and Opposition.
Broadcasting ahead of Minister of Security Peter Phillips' own address to the nation last night, Opposition Leader Edward Seaga was critical of the 16 special police sqauds which had failed because of "brute force and ignorance", he said.
Mr. Phillips in turn declared that the new strategies incorporate the main thrust of recommendations of the National Committee on Crime and Violence established in August last year. Other areas of the committee report still remain to be refined when the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader meet to discuss the report, Mr. Phillips said.
A combative Mr. Seaga, clearly in election mode, was pointing to the prospect of a JLP administration removing politics from the Police Force by way of bipartisan appointments to the Police Services Commission.
Mr. Phillips on the other hand was about filling approximately 3,000 vacancies in the ranks of the Security Forces, and major reorganisation of the Constabulary. He also stated in broad terms the strategy to tackle the root problem the illegal drug trade and the illegal importation of guns and ammunition and the gangs which it spawns.
The proposal by the JLP to widen the ambit of capital punishment to include narcotic trafficking and "terrorists" brought no direct response from the Minister. He was content to state the Government's continued support of the death penalty "cognizant of the fact that the Privy Council remains our final Court of Appeal." On the proposal to make terrorism subject to the death penalty the Minister merely said that work was now proceeding on new anti-terrorism legislation.
It is clear from both attitudes to the crime problem that there is joint recognition of the drug roots of the crisis; but a unified approach to tackle it will be difficult to achieve in this election year. The burden of responsibility rests with the Minister to rise above political contention. He must galvanise public support in a war that must be won.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
