Heather RobinsonCRIMINALS COME in all shapes and forms. Some utilise the gun or the knife as the weapon of coercion and compliance. Others utilise more subtle forms of eliciting a positive response. A simple telephone call requiring a particular response within a prescribed period is another commonly used method. The tone and sound of the voice over the telephone goes a far way in determining how quickly one responds.
In recent weeks, however, there is now a new method of extracting a positive response. A simple one-paragraph request written on paper is the latest method being used by criminals to achieve their pound of flesh. This new 'soft sell' is, however, the method that remains as a constant reminder of what one is being forced into doing, and regardless of the form it takes it is still simply extortion.
The Weekend Star of June 18 carried as its banner headline 'Pay Up Or Else!' A very graphic reproduction of what one assumes to be a computer-generated handout has an image of a motor car reminiscent of the Al Capone era in the United States. It brings back vivid memories of the television series 'The Untouchables' in which Elliot Ness fought desperately to destroy Al Capone's protection and other illegal operations.
TWO SIMPLE SENTENCES
The picture is so vivid that you can almost hear and see the old Thompson ('Tommy') sub-machine guns protruding from the windows of these old Ford vehicles, or being removed suddenly from under the coats of Al Capone's enforcers. The narrative of this piece of paper comprises two simple sentences. The first states: "I am asking all bus and taxi drivers who run on this route to please give a donation of $200 every Friday." Note that the request is made by 'I' and 'I' used the word please; and further it is a 'donation' that is being solicited. The second paragraph reads: "This will take care of the security of your vehicle. Fail to do so action will be taken and no further 'questioning'."
JUTC BUSES
This second sentence does not promise personal protection of bus and taxi drivers, but rather promises instead to 'take care of the security of your vehicle'. Since there are so many JUTC buses operating through the Papine bus terminus, one can only assume that the Government is being called upon to make its $200 every Friday to avoid 'further questioning'. The second request for cash is somewhat different. This one is written on letterhead. This one is not from 'I' but rather from the 'One Order Organisation'. There is a logo with a muscular figure holding what appears to be a huge light bulb, and yes, there is a mission statement: 'Making our community shine by maintaining the order'.
The Sunday Gleaner of June 20 reproduced the entire contents of the letter addressed to: 'To whom it may concern'. "This letter is to serve as a notice of the current charges that is now in effect in the town of May Pen. The One Order Organisation will be requesting a certain amount of cash to fund community-related activity." There is a great degree of similarity between this letter and the usual notices that are placed by utility companies when they are implementing rate increases.
DESTRUCTION
The letter goes further to state how the funds are to be paid and to whom. "Failure to meet our criteria can result in a whirlwind of problems, example: instability (destruction) of specific establishment that reject this letter and its meaning." The so-called author of the letter The One Order Organi-sation reassures its prospective clients that if the funds are paid "the business establishment will not be affected by any upsurge (defacement) of any means". The letter is signed by the 'Directors of One Order Organisation'.
Both groups of persons have made promises to two communities. One has stated a specific amount that is to be paid and the other will clearly utilise some means to determine how much is to be paid to avoid a "whirlwind of problems" Both groups for the moment are hiding behind a very brazen and hostile piece of paper.
The communities of Papine and May Pen must come together with the support of the police whose jobs it is to 'reassure' and refuse to pay, as well as expose these paper boys for what they really are: criminals who believe they have the right to levy charges for the maintenance of peace. We pay taxes to the Government, and we must refuse to pay anything to paperboys masked behind light bulbs and antique Ford cars.
Heather Robinson is a senior life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
