Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
The Reverend Karl Johnson (right), president of the Jamaica Council of Churches, who delivered the keynote address at the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast, has the attention of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (left), Opposition Leader Bruce Golding (second right), and wife, Lorna Golding. The 27th prayer breakfast was held yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
Political leaders have been urged to consider putting a ban on election mass campaigns which include bus loads of supporters who have no regard for the law.
The suggestion came yesterday from the Rev. Karl Johnson during the main address at the 27th National Leadership Prayer Breakfast at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.
"We may need to consider suggesting to the political parties that mass meetings attended by bus loads of scores of people, too many of them unemployed, hanging loosely from speeding vehicles with no regard for the law or other road users ... we may have to suggest that we reconsider that electioneering tool for the upcoming election," said Rev. Johnson, the president of the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC).
He asked the more than 450 of the nation's business, political, civic and church leaders present, for measures which will ensure a safe and morally conducted election.
"Let it be known loud and clear that we do not intend to see the fulfilment of that prophecy concerning violent elections. The past is the past, we will go that route no more," he declared.
"We cherish our democratic right to exercise our franchise but before we mark our X in a bloody election we prefer not to mark it at all." he added to resounding applause.
Meanwhile, Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, told The Gleaner at the end of the breakfast that fruits are already being borne as a result of new crime-fighting strategies that were implemented last week. The Minister also said that a major crime plan for the year, encompassing the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, will soon be announced.
Post-prayer breakfast, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas promised that, based on new strategies already implemented and those to come, 2007 will not see more bloodshed than last year.
Yesterday' sentiments come on the heels of predictions of a bloody general election and reports of a stockpiling of guns in communities throughout the country.
"It is just a matter of time, but we will be seeing changes," declared the national security minister.
Acting on the instruction of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Dr. Phillips met last Wednesday with the heads of the island's security forces to discuss crime-fighting strategies.
While no new crime-fighting initiatives were announced, the Government promised to review and strengthen a number of measures that have already been implemented. Heading the list are intelligence, community policing, social intervention programmes, recruitment and the upgrading of the training academy at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine.
At the prayer breakfast Dr. Phillips said that, while the security forces will continue with current crime-fighting initiatives, they will also be engaging international assistance throughout the year to decrease the crime rate.
"We will be drawing on our Caribbean partners and those of the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom," said Dr. Phillips.
With murders exceeding 70 since the start of the year, Commissioner Thomas said the crime rate should be put in perspective. "Yes we have seen several murders since this year, but we must look at the positives of 2006 versus 2005 with a reduction in the crime rate and I assure you that this year will also see a decrease," the Police Commissioner said.
He added that divisions of St. James, Westmoreland, St. Ann and Clarendon, to some extent, have been identified as areas of concern.
"Until we remove these critical players the crime will still exist," said Commissioner Thomas.
