Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips (second right), fields questions from journalists and members of the public at a 'Reclaim Jamaica' anti-crime forum held last night at the Courtleigh Auditorium, St. Andrew. Other panellists from left are Derrick Smith, Opposition spokesman on national security; Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force and Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
"THE FIGURES show that you are losing the battle against crime ... what is it that you are going to do differently?"
That was the question posed to Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, by journalist Cliff Hughes at last night's 'Reclaim Jamaica National Crime Forum', organised by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) at the Courtleigh Auditorium, St. Andrew.
"We must recognise that the social needs of citizens have been underserved for far too long," said PSOJ President Beverly Lopez, in arguing that social conditions need to be improved to reduce crime.
Dr. Phillips stressed that "social interventions to reclaim the loyalties of our population in so called inner-city communities" were vital. He listed three main areas of crime fighting: tackling major kingpins; modernising the Jamaica Constabulary Force and social intervention programmes.
The Security Minister said extra resources would be made available to social programmes such as the $200 million Community Security Initiative which targets communities where dons have been deposed by Operation Kingfish.
COMMUNITY COOPERATION WEAK
Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas admitted that community cooperation was "a very weak area". He said this was being addressed by the revitalisation of police youth clubs and the Safe Schools Programme, which targets 80 schools affected by crime and violence.
Also on the panel, head of the Jamaica Defence Force, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, stressed that all Jamaicans needed to cooperate in the fight against crime. "There is a chance you may contribute, that's all our choice".
Asked about his Ministry's budget, Dr. Phillip said it was a question of how much of what share "we want to spend".
Derrick Smith, Opposition spokesman on National Security, pledged that, if elected, the Jamaica Labour Party would budget an extra $5 to $6 billion towards the police shopping list.
The function was chaired by Oliver Clarke, chairman and managing director of The Gleaner Company.
The Police Commissioner last night revealed that 1,448 persons have been murdered since the start of the year. This is up 13 per cent over the corresponding period last year. However, the Commissioner said the homicide rate has been falling, as, between January and March, murders were 50 per cent above what they were during the same period in the previous year.
