THE EDITOR, Sir:
POLICING EFFORTS alone (however intended in the recent past) do not appear to be able to offer a sustained solution to the criminal activity in Spanish Town. It is time for the administration of the town, and central government, to employ another strategy to supplement their drive against crime in the town.
First, criminal elements will flourish in an environment of disorder. It is difficult to command the respect and understanding of the public when the social environment in which they exist appears in disarray, and when their social structure is built around 'known' criminal elements. It is therefore my opinion that the administration and police of the town should (with outside help, as well) employ the following strategy:
STRATEGIES
1. Embark on a clean-up, reordering of vending and transport activities and beautification of the core of the town first, then the key crime hotspots. This effort should be sustained to show the people of the town the intent of the effort. The people need to be able to, and should want to centre their daily lives around township centres that are uplifting and orderly.
2. Police 'small' crimes vigilantly. Activities such as littering, urinating in public, laws concerning illegal taxi and bus operations, defacing of public buildings and illegal vending should be strictly enforced.
3. Offenders of these crimes should be booked relentlessly. Policing at this level will bring both renewed public respect and nab some criminal elements as well.
It's time that we realise that force (in the form of policing alone) cannot change the hearts and minds of the people.
I am, etc.,
CHRIS BURGESS
cburgess@ceacsolutions.com
Via Go-Jamaica
