Garth Rattray
ON SEVERAL occasions in the past I have used this medium to beseech that we (1) play the National Anthem everyday at noon, (2) follow it up with a moment of silence to show respect for our numerous murder victims and (3) read and/or publish the names of our slain fellow Jamaicans at least once per month. Now that the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has attempted to incorporate similar events in its three-day stand for justice, hopefully someone will see it fit to institute the sombre midday gesture regularly.
As many of my friends and patients have been slain, it therefore perturbed me to learn of the mindless killing of the beloved and altruistic Clarendon businessman, Maurice Azan, along with his stepson Lloyd Phang. Unfortunately, the resultant PSOJ initiative left the impression that although the country's elite occasionally speak out against crime, they waited until it came close to home (when one of their own was murdered) to say "enough is enough." In light of this recent development, many Jamaicans have revisited their long-held belief that it is only if and when a top politician becomes a victim that all the stops will be pulled out to solve crime.
The stand for justice was billed as a new invigorated beginning in the assault against crime but there must be a concrete, tangible and expeditious follow-up action or the momentum will be lost and fruitless symbolism is all that will remain.
BUSINESS-GOV'T COLLABORATION
Demanding that politicians dissociate themselves from criminals, telling businesses not to pay extortionists, offering to adopt police stations and a few other steps only represent a start; but we won't get rid of the violence that surrounds dons and gangs until we make them obsolete.
Businesses need to collabora-tively form a non-governmental organisation (NGO) solely dedicated to assisting with the protection, education, shelter, clothing and provision of basic amenities for the less fortunate. This is what the dons and their retinue are doing; this is why people support them.
I fully agree with Police Commissioner Thomas' statement that, "We have to be our neighbour's keeper and be continuously vigilant to try and prevent attacks against the citizens. We cannot wait until crime directly affects our family or our friends to launch an all-out assault against the criminals". The fight against crime obviously involves efficient policing but it also needs the co-operation of our citizens and the resolve of decent Jamaicans if civil society is to prevail.
NO GUARANTEE
Living within a gated community, hiring security guards, keeping a low profile or turning a blind eye to irregularities is no guarantee of safety. The only way to truly avoid becoming a victim of crime is to help in the fight against crime in whatever way that you can, even when you are not currently or directly threatened. Fighting crime begins with being a good citizen. Try to assist the less fortunate and refrain from exploiting the poor and needy. The police are not ubiquitous so report suspicious activities that you see on the streets or in your neighbourhood.
People living within inner city communities must stop sheltering and protecting gunmen and killers. They must call the police whenever they see youths patrolling with their 'long guns' (high-powered rifles). They shouldn't wait until someone near and dear to them is harmed or killed before reporting illegal activities. Many draw into their individual little shells and mistakenly believe that as long as they 'hold their own corner' they won't be harmed. But this is a false sense of security and it's precisely what the criminal elements want them to do.
As individuals we can't afford to wait until crime comes into our places of business, our communities, our homes, or until someone close to us (spouse, relative or friend) is maimed or killed to join the fight. As a nation we can't afford to wait until someone 'important' is murdered. We need to act now by doing our part every day in every institution, in every community and in every home. Until everyone of us is safe, no one of us is.
Dr Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
