In one of the catchier advertising campaigns to have hit Jamaica in recent years, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has given larger life and specific meaning to the popular phrase 'how come?'

And, in an unusual move, yesterday The Gleaner made Commissioner of Customs Danville Walkers expressive and explosive declaration on the state of the operations he is in charge of, and his personal stance on corruption therein, its main story, the import of his statement amplified by the headline 'Danville dares'.

The moneyed class

This, of course, leads the reader to wonder how come previous commissioners of customs did not dare, but that is water (or revenue) under the bridge.

Walker did not use how come in speaking to importers undervaluing goods for assessment, but, in no uncertain terms, he did something that the JPS campaign has not.

For, while the series of advertisements scoring those who steal electricity, very noticeably, avoid the moneyed class, who are certainly not averse to extracting some wattage to power their businesses and often palatial homes, Walker has directed much of his ire at them.

In fact, two and a half paragraphs of what must be seen as a landmark statement by Mr Walker speak to "importers from the inner city" who "believe that once they qualify as legitimate sufferers, they should be allowed all breaks as long as they are not robbing or stealing from anyone".

However, after close to six paragraphs lambasting "those from uptown and the privileged", with Mr Walker also making mention of "those who posture themselves as just, upright citizens", the commissioner of customs ended on a note of cooperation rather than combat.

This weighting of words is significant and we applaud Mr Walker for an emphasis which underscores that corruption is not limited to those below Half-Way Tree (although the traditional social dividing line in our society does bend around a few inner-city communities in uptown locations). For while all breaches of the law are transgressions, certainly, some have higher costs than others.

We dare say, too, that it takes a significant amount of clout to have a 'higher-up' call a staff member in the Customs Department and "ask why they are bothering Mr So and So".

Challenging the stereotype

While we are impressed by Mr Walkers passion, we sincerely doubt that his appeal to conscience, patriotism and concern for the future will strike a chord with those who have been getting away with so much for so long.

In addition, although we are certain that his resolve needs no support, we still offer ours, as he attempts to ease the financial burden of the seemingly few, who are compliant with their dues to the Government's coffers.

And, although he did not use the phrase, we compliment him on extending the notion of 'how come?' and, in so doing, challenging the stereotype of who is a criminal.

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