By Dennise Williams, Staff Reporter
Gordon
In the latter half of the '70s and '80s, downturns in the
economy led to major reduction in the construction activity.
The main casualties were government projects.
JAMAICA does not have an extortion problem. That's right, it is not a misprint. According to statistics revealed to The Financial Gleaner, only 13 cases of extortion, or in legal jargon, 'demanding money by menace', have been reported and prosecuted since the start of 2003. With a population of over 2.6 million people, only 13 disreputable souls are on record trying to earn their living by menace. Nonetheless, it is an open secret that extortion is a fact of doing business in Jamaica. In response to this, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has established a special unit to deal with extortion - the Organised Crime Unit Investigation Division (the Unit).
Officially established on June 9, 2003, part of its mandate is 'gang penetration and gathering intelligence, targeting criminal dons and taking the lead in the anti-extortion strategy.' Superintendent Norman Gordon, a 30-year veteran of the police force, heads the unit. Speaking with The Financial Gleaner, Gordon explained the history of extortion in Jamaica, the battle his unit must wage and the money needed to properly wage battle, and a hint of the monstrous cost extortion bears on the business community.
Gordon first gives a history lesson. In essence, extortion as we know it today was born in the construction industry. "In the middle to late 1960s and early '70s the political party in association with their respective trade unions, imposed employment demands on the major government and private sector projects of the day. Party political enforcers were thrust into on-site prominence as union delegates, employment and liaison officers. This was the mechanism and method of reward for that level of party activist. The most notorious of the party supports assumed roles of chief delegates, delegates, employment and liaison officers. Others became gatemen, flagmen, and watchmen while some semi-skilled and unskilled were imposed as tradesman at levels far in excess of their competence.
EXAMPLES
"Examples then were seen during the extension of the Tom Redcam Drive, on the construction of some main government projects such as schools especially in and around inner city communities in Kingston and St. Andrew; as experienced in the school construction in Duhaney Park, the Melrose All-Age School in the Maxfield area, housing projects in Payne Land and Majestic Gardens.
"In the latter half of the 70's and 80's, downturns in the economy led to major reduction in the construction activity. The main casualties were government projects. This reduced participation led to loss of influence. The trade unions' membership on sites waned, hence the imposition of the political activist, through this channel, decreased and is now almost non-existent. But the politician continued to demand employment directly from the contractors. This brought to fore the various 'area leaders' and 'dons' that eventually assumed the responsibility of 'negotiating' with contractors."
Gordon outlined some of the 'services' that individuals who identify themselves as area leaders or dons provided for a 'fee' to the construction industry.
Initial and periodic payments to allow execution of the construction works.
Site security responsibilities
Subcontractors to undertake various aspects of the works.
Subscriptions to sponsor various community activities
Rates of pay in excess of industry standards
Building materials for their personal use
But dons are not foolish. They don't make the demands in person. Explained Gordon, "The don is never the one upfront to broker these deals and to collect. They are always in the shadow. They have lieutenants who carry out their wishes. These wishes are usually enforced in a most rigorous way, to put it mildly." Gordon defines the enforcement as "It can be the cessation of work through pilferage or even murder, depending on the stake." So, in response the unit must also be equally rigorous. "In the area of extortion, we have developed a two-pronged strategy. In one area we carry out investigations into the assets of these dons with a view of taxation. We will be reporting their assets to Inland Revenue.
The other area will see us targeting the person, the don himself. The idea is to target the don and his lieutenants who are close to him for any crime that they may have committed or is suspected to be involved with in any way. We will target their homes, the rum bar where they hang out and the worksite. We will be going to the length and breadth of Jamaica. We want to occupy their spaces and dislodge them. The police and the don cannot occupy the same spaces." It is a known fact that dons occupy many spaces. Like any industry that seeks to increase profits, extortionists have not restricted themselves to the construction industry. Said Gordon, "We have rumours that the transportation industry suffers greatly. Busmen have to pay on a daily basis to dons. Taxi operators in certain communities have to pay to the dons. In the commercial centres of Jamaica such as Kingston, St Andrew, Portmore, Spanish Town and May Pen, business people and street-side vendors have to pay the dons." And extortion is a very profitable business.
BIG BUCKS
Demanding money by menace is not a tuppence ha'penny undertaking. In assessing the cost to the country, Gordon puts it mildly by saying, "We are talking about big bucks."
In quantitative terms, Gordon tells The Financial Gleaner that he is aware of contractors having to pay a minimum of $1,000,000 per fortnight to the area leaders for work to continue smoothly. It has been projected by construction and extortion experts that the cost of the racket can be from 1 per cent to 8 per cent of the overall contract amount. Plus, as a cushion, a contractor would increase the total contract sum by an additional 1-2 per cent as a provision for losses due to 'theft'. So it stands to reason that it would take money to fight money.
While not disclosing the size of the budget allocated to the Unit, if he had an ideal budget, Gordon tells The Financial Gleaner that about $35 to $40 million would do nicely. "I am experienced to know that all our financing needs will never be met." But Gordon did outline his dream-shopping list.
Training of the existing investigators in techniques specific to extortion.
Acquisition of surveillance equipment.
Additional vehicles Computers for each member of staff.
Fund for paid informants.
General office equipment.
But if extortion is so expensive, why is it allowed to continue? Why have only 13 cases been prosecuted to date? Gordon explains. "It has to be a situation where an injured party complains and gives a statement to the police. Then they have to be willing to go to Court and testify. Despite us getting information that widespread extortion exists in certain places, usually the business people who support the extortion racket are not prepared to stand up and be counted." Gordon did comment that persons were also afraid of the dons, but he was more disgusted with the persons who believe that the police cannot offer the same level of protection as the dons. "Some members of the business community boast that they can sleep comfortable because their business is protected. And that is a part of why extortion flourishes."
However, on the other hand, the same business people want extortion to go away. Said Gordon, "The construction industry suffers the most. They pay the big bucks. And right now there is an on-going discussion between the private sector entities and the Unit. Coming out of these discussion are the willingness and commitment to assist the division in a tangible way." And for those in the business community who have this willingness, Gordon states, "Extortion can only be sustained when the business community supports it. The police are willing to work in partnership to bring those who are bend on continuing this criminal activity to justice. But we cannot do it alone. We will only succeed when they are prepared to stand up for justice."
