The General elections are behind us, both in Jamaica, and the United States. These two events generally consume a lot of our time, energy, and attention. As Jamaicans, wherever we are, we understand that the two countries are inextricably linked. So whether we live in Jamaica or the United States, we have a vested interest in both countries’ outcomes.
One critical issue that seems to have garnered total acceptance in Jamaica is the issue of violent murders.
The heinous killing of young women, older adults, and even children, now take on a quiet acceptance, and a general sense that we have now reached a point of no return; that nothing can be done about it.
For decades members of the JCF complained about the relationship between politicians and criminals. This writer has made a case for years, that the lines between politicians sitting in the people’s parliament and the shottas are indistinguishable in many cases.
In all fairness to the politicians, I believe that political affiliations with murderers may not be at the levels they were in times past. Still, the damage done to our society because of those affiliations not only remain with us today, they inform the crime statistics.
Notwithstanding, ignorance, and bravado on the part of the ruling class and the elites have kept Jamaica mired in the quicksand of violent crime.
The opinions that inform and guide new legislation come from foreign-funded rights groups and a litany of other misguided voices at the University of the West Indies (UWI).
The point of view of the actual first responders, police, and fire is not considered. Even if they were to be considered, there is a perception that many members of the police department harbor view sympathetic to the criminal class. Their views are fundamentally different from that of officers of the past.
I do not wish to impugn the integrity of the members of the JCF, but I believe if we are honest, we will admit that the JCF leaves a lot to be desired as it relates to integrity and professionalism.
In fact, many past members who reside abroad complain of bad experiences with officers on their return to the country.
I usually take those complaints with a grain of salt, cognizant that as former members, we may sometimes expect to be treated differently.
Law enforcement cannot be laid at the feet of the police alone. The police enforce statutes; it is up to legislators who are serious about doing something about this scourge, about finding courage, and passing legislation that puts an end to the wanton killings.
Clearly, the laws that exist are not strong enough to deter the mindless killers who take human life with reckless abandon.
On the rare occasion that offenders are arrested for the murders they commit, the liberal system works assiduously to return those offenders to the streets under the guise of human rights and to maintain the justice system’s efficacy.
Maintaining credibility and fairness in criminal justice cannot be overemphasized, but it cannot come at the expense of justice for the victims and survivors of intentional violent crime.
Sadly, Jamaica’s criminal justice system is built on a foundation that embraces criminal rights, and second chances with hardly a thought for the rights and suffering of crime victims.
Remarkably, the entire country, and the so-called leaders that live on the [4411] square miles of Jamaica are socialized into believing that violent murders that occur two doors down, are no big deal.…… [crime de every weh]sic.
As I pointed out a few articles ago, the cost of Jamaica’s high murder rate is doing incalculable harm to the country’s economy.
Data do not support the misguided prevailing perception that violent crime is a by-product of poverty. Conversely, the Jamaican people’s increasing impoverishment is largely attributable to the nation’s high homicide rate.
The blatant support of initiatives beneficial to criminals by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck and others has emboldened criminals and has been a boon to criminal defense lawyers.
The police stumble along as if it is a credible law enforcement agency, the commissioner of police continues to receive a pass, and the government and opposition float by unaccountable.
In the meantime, the bodies continue to turn up, and the nation continues to pretend that the carnage is normal.
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Mike Beckles is a former Police Detective, businessman, freelance writer, a black achiever honoree, and publisher of the blog mikebeckles.com.
He’s contributed to several websites.
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