Devon Dick, Contributor
Dear Brother Thomas,
AS YOU take up office this week as commissioner of police, I wish you God's protection and prosperity in this most challenging and important task.
Yesterday's Gleaner headline stated that there have been 77 murders in 16 days, a 175 per cent increase over a similar period for 2004. So, you have your work cut out for you. As you undertake this task, I would like to share some ideas emanating from the recent St. Catherine Baptists annual convention.
After the morning service, there was a panel discussion on crime and violence. One of the panelists, Rev Michael Shim-Hue, pastor of the Portmore Baptist Church, made some interesting observations. He who has served this country on a task force that investigated and evaluated crime strategies employed by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, claimed that after the establishment of special police squads and their work, crime has increased. In other words, these squads do not work. He strongly recommends community policing and cited countries where this has worked.
Coincidentally, the people of Jamaica seem to agree with that recommendation based on the finding of last week's Gleaner poll done by Don Anderson which ascertained that 36 per cent of the people believed that success will depend on the better relationship between the police and the people. The number one suggestion by far is for a co-operation between the citizens and the peacekeepers.
SELL YOUR VISION
Brother Thomas, please believe in the intelligence of the people and the goodwill of the masses. I therefore, implore you to meet, talk and sell your vision to the people of Jamaica.
Meet with the stakeholders, especially, the mass-based grassroots organisations that are committed to peace. Revive the neighbourhood watch groups and the police youth clubs extend the programme. In addition, work with NGOs; work with Professor Barry Chevannes, chairman of the group that is agitating for a violence-free day on the 60th anniversary of Bob Marley's birthday on February 6.
This initiative, a brainchild of Julia and Robert Roskind, believe in the power of healing via music. Ease off the arresting of artistes over what is alleged to be 'bad words' and 'indecent language'.
Two months ago, under the inspired leadership of your namesake, Dr. Donovan Thomas, the Jamaica Youth for Christ launched a project to build community support to reduce violence against children. They are helping to bring hope to Jamaica's youths through fun-filled age-appropriate activities helping children to choose healthy, positive alternatives to deal with conflict.
This project is a partnership between UNICEF and PIOJ. And please do not forget the MeadHaven Ministers' Fraternal's forgiveness campaign, which has been going on for two years. The rationale for this effort was based on the premise that since the major motivation for murders was revenge, a dose of forgiveness could be the right medicine to help reduce the number of murders.
EFFORTS AND AGENCIES
There are many more efforts and agencies involved at various levels and varying degrees of success which can be coordinated and harnessed to allow peace to flow through Jamaica. They should be part of a strategy to isolate and concentrate on known violence-prone spots. Then a multi-agency sustained social intervention programme should be implemented. Your predecessor has mooted this, and it needs to be fast-tracked and the idea sold to the public and the politicians.
Please do not tell us that you do not have a plan. Do not tell us either that you are going to do more research and analysis. We have been asking the right questions and getting the right answers. What is needed is someone who has the will to garner the resources and implement the plan.
In addition, I leave with you a passage of Scripture on which to meditate. It is Jeremiah's first letter to the exiled community in Babylon. They were undergoing great difficulties and Jeremiah told them to make the best of a difficult situation and not to believe those who told them that things would get better soon.
Instead the promise of God was 'When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' (Jer. 29:10-11).
Yours truly, Devon Dick.
Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: The Church in Nation-Building'.
