Patterson PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson last night signalled the start of a sustained joint army and police offensive on crime as he delivered details of the latest comprehensive anti-crime initiative to the nation.
The key points include: authorising the security forces to become more "proactive" in their operations; a new deployment of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to tackle a specific internationally-linked group of highly armed criminals; an increase in legal roadblocks and vehicle searches; and a push to "resume the death penalty".
Other legislative changes and a programme of social and economic renewal will also be pursued. However, there is no room in the new initiative for the declaration of a State of Emergency, he said.
"Despite the nature of the severe threat that we face as a nation, we have taken the deliberate decision not to go the route of declaring a State of Emergency," Mr. Patterson said, rather choosing an initiative "that will be maintained as long as it takes".
The operation is already under way, with joint Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)-/JDF "action" in targeted communities since Saturday night.
Gangs and their styles of operations have been identified, he said, and the security forces will now press an "active, vigilant presence in certain targeted communities" used by gangs as cover.
"The security forces have been authorised to move from a policy of containment to a more proactive mode of dismantling the para-military groups of organised criminals which now dominate several communities," he said.
The JDF, in particular, will be tackling the most highly armed groups. "We will see [...] a new and forceful use of the Army to effectively counter a group of highly armed and extremely ruthless criminals with significant international links," Mr. Patterson revealed. Contingency plans have also been devised to cope with responses from the criminal world.
He urged the country to support, and assist in, the new initiative, promising that the struggle will bear fruit.
"Any inconvenience you may experience will be greatly outweighed by the restoration of our freedom," he said, noting that a "constituted body with appropriate human rights personnel" will be formed to deal with public complaints against the security forces in their new aggressive roles. In the meantime, if any complaints arise against the JDF they will be heard through the special investigation teams within the Force.
Legislative changes are set to accompany the activities of the security forces, with the Prime Minister applying pressure for co-operation from the Opposition to enable the resumption of the death penalty as punishment for capital murder.
"We will require the co-operation of the Opposition, which we plan to seek. The Jamaican people are substantially agreed on the need to resume the death penalty. We intend to heed the voice of the people."
Other amendments are being slated to the Acts dealing with firearms, fingerprinting and the proceeds of crime, while drafts have already been approved at the Cabinet level, dealing with plea bargaining and alibis. A Port Security Act, to stem gun flow into Jamaica, and anti-terrorism legislation are also being drafted. Progress stemming from the bipartisan National Committee on crime and violence will see installation of the National Oversight Committee and the Parliamentary Committee before Christmas.
"I have repeated the firm intention of the current Administration to implement additional measures and develop new tactics because if the vicious forces are allowed to control, they will surely destroy our society and everything we aspire to achieve," Mr. Patterson said.
"The entire international community wants to see our efforts succeed," he said. International support from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada will play an integral in the new war on crime, he said.
