From left: Carl Williams, Senior Superintendent in charge of Narcotics; Phil Sinkinson, Deputy British High Commissioner to Jamaica; Dr Peter Phillips, Jamaica's Minister of National Security, and Lucius Thomas Jamaica's Deputy Commissioner in charge of crime at a forum on 'The Effects of Crime On Jamaica in London, England, last night.
-Contributed photoLONDON:
'POVERTY and chronic unemployment are the roots of criminal activity in Jamaica. How is that being addressed?'
'What is the truth about returning residents being targeted by criminal elements in Jamaica?'
'Why is there so much corruption in the Police Force?'
'Why aren't deportees tracked when they are sent back to Jamaica?'
These were some of the questions put to the panel at last evening's forum, 'The effects of crime on Jamaica', held at the Commonwealth Institute in London. The forum, hosted by The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Jamaica National (JN) and The Gleaner Co. Ltd., was the final leg of a UK tour, which included meetings in Manchester and Birmingham.
The panel was headed by Dr Peter Phillips, Jamaica's Minister of National Security, with key presentations also coming from Lucius Thomas, Jamaica's Deputy Commissioner of Police for Crime, and Senior Supt. Carl Williams who is in charge of the Narcotics Division.
The other members of the panel were chairperson, Sir Bill Morris, Chancellor of the University of Technology, Greta Bogues, chief executive officer of the PSOJ; Oliver Clarke, immediate past president of the PSOJ and chairman of the Gleaner Group of Companies; Earl Jarrett, general manager of JNBS, and Phil Sinkinson, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Jamaica.
SERIOUS PROBLEMS
The diverse audience of more than 200 included Jamaican nationals, friends of Jamaica, an MP and local councillors, business interests and representatives of the Metropolitan Police, including Mike Fuller, Britain's first black Chief Constable, Chief Inspector Leroy Logan, chair of the Black Police Association, and Commander Allan Brown of the Met's 'Operation Trident'.
During the lively and constructive forum, Dr. Phillips outlined Jamaica's serious crime problem, Jamaica as a major trans-shipment port for cocaine, the proliferation of the gun culture in the island and the negative impact it is having on the island. But the range of questions from the audience clearly showed they were far more interested in what is being done to stem the tide of crime.
Linton Kwesi Johnson, internationally famous reggae poet, wanted to know what was being done to address poverty, unemployment and extra-judicial killings by Jamaican police.
In response, the minister said that although many opportunities had opened up in education over the last 40 years, poverty and crime had also grown. "We have to solve this problem bit by bit and it does not help when we keep beating on ourselves," he said.
Deputy Commissioner Thomas said there was no doubt that corruption exists in the Jamaican police force but it was being addressed. Significant reforms were being put in place for the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
HEATED EXCHANGE
There was a heated exchange between members of the audience and Deputy Commissioner Thomas when he stated that no returning residents had been murdered in Jamaica over the last two years. He was interrupted with chants of 'Lies, lies tell us the truth'.
Rene Dan of Galaxy Radio said, to applause: "If you want us to help you then tell us the truth, not lies." He said he could furnish evidence to prove that many returning residents had been killed in recent years. The panel accepted his views.
Mavis Stewart, chair of the Association of Jamaicans UK, also gained a captive audience with probing questions about the use of the term 'Yardies' and what has been happening to confiscated drug money. "Whey de money deh?" she asked.
Senior Supt. Williams used images and graphics projected on a screen to highlight the serious nature of the drugs problem and was quick to point out that measures introduced were having an impact on fighting drugs trafficking and crime. They included several partnerships with foreign governments, including the USA, the UK, Canada and Colombia. "We are now catching larger shipments and arresting significant offenders," he said.
Dr. Phillips said he would be signing a further agreement and memorandum of understanding with British police before returning to Jamaica.
