Heather Robinson

Up until Sunday last, there were many Jamaicans who assumed or believed that criminals and murderers are for the most part persons who have been deprived of educational and economic opportunities. The view advanced by some sociologists and others is that the poor social and economic conditions of some Jamaicans is the reason why some turn to criminal activity. But what is not being said enough is this: those who choose this route of self-development are a very, very small fraction of the community from whence they come.

The fatal shooting of five members of the Collin Palmer gang in Montego Bay on Sunday evening revealed one very important fact. The alleged leader is said to have been "a graduate of Calabar High School in St Andrew and the Mico Teachers' College in Kingston. He also taught at three prominent Montego Bay secondary institutions up to the late 1990s" (The Gleaner, Monday January 29). The alleged gang leader is said to have been known by the alias 'Teacher'.

Swapped for an illegal gun

Reading this made me sick, as I am sure it did all decent Calabar and Mico students and graduates, indeed all decent Jamaicans. The question, however, is, how did this teacher get to the point when he swapped a red ink pen for an illegal gun?

The Gleaner story quoted a friend of the dead gang leader as saying, "He told me he had no work and has his children to feed; the man is worthless, he really disappointed me." One can only wonder what difference 'Teacher' could have made if he had sought to have remedial classes in reading, writing and arithmetic for members of his community instead of leading and teaching them how to be criminals and murderers. Would the Member of Parliament have assisted him in setting up a school for slow learners or school dropouts? Or is there some government agency or non-governmental organisation that would have assisted this man to practise what he had been taught at Calabar or Mico?

Many Jamaicans are concerned about the possibility of a violent election campaign. We have been reminded by the Political Ombudsman and the chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica that there are laws that allow for elections to be voided when there is violence. But the laws of Jamaica cannot delay general elections forever when there is sustained violence prior to the holding of such elections.

Jamaica's last experience of a really violent election campaign was in 1980. Voters who are under age 37 have no real knowledge or memory of the year 1980. There are, however, enough parliamentarians on both sides of the aisle in Gordon House who can remind and inform Jamaica about this period in Jamaica's political history.

Reconsider their options

Those criminals who might have contemplated a repeat of 1980 would be well advised to reconsider their options. Firstly, the com- missioner of police has warned you of his intolerance for any such activity. Secondly, Jamaica is a totally different place from what it was in 1980. There are over one million cellular telephone users, and over twenty media houses. News travels much quicker now, so be warned.

Sustained criminal activity in any community or parish must have leadership that initiates, guides and directs it. Those who occupy such positions of leadership would do well to remember that if you are a 'teacher', your actions should be confined to educational and scholarly activity, and if you are a parliamentarian, remember that the word 'ballot' is totally different from the word 'bullet'.

Murderers, be warned, therefore, that the commissioner of police "will never tell my men and women to cower in the face of brazen attacks by criminals. Never!"

Throw down your arms, and come.

Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.