JAMAICA | Opposition wants An Overhaul of Jamaica's Crime Strategies in light of escalating violence

Kingston, Jamaica. December 12, 2023: Despite the government’s declaration of States of Emergency (SOEs) in five parishes and one police division, Violent crime continues to escalate across Jamaica and the Opposition PNP is not happy. 

Opposition spokesman on National Security Senator Peter Bunting is demanding an immediate re-evaluation of Jamaica’s crime management strategies in the face of the persistent failure to provide a safe environment for our citizens.

The leadership of both the Government and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have been touting the supposed success of the recent SOEs initially imposed in November, and which spurred a further performative declaration of additional SOEs last week. 

However, their self-congratulatory indulgence has been short-lived as at least 21 murders have occurred since last Friday’s SOE expansion, most of these murders took place in SOE parishes.

Last week there were 38 murders reported across Jamaica.  The incidents of violence coming to public attention have only intensified in the current week, including:

• The heart-breaking murder of a second-form student of Anchovy High School - Randy James - fatally shot while seeking shelter during a sudden downpour, epitomises the vulnerability of our children in communities, even amidst the purported safety net of an SOE
• The murder of well-known businessman William ‘Baba Roots’ Webb at his home in Darliston, in Westmoreland, 
• The double murder of the Thompson brothers (18 and 20 years old) in Farm View, Green Pond, St James,
• The double murder of the two Moodie siblings in Westmoreland, and the bodies filmed being buried in a shallow grave, demonstrate the impunity with which criminals feel they can operate. 
• And only yesterday another chillingly familiar attack on a Beryllium vehicle by multiple armed thugs in Grey Ground, Manchester.

According to Senator Bunting, a former National Security Minister, These incidents highlight an administration bankrupt of ideas that continue to rely solely on ineffective emergency measures to curb the deeply rooted issues of crime and violence. 

Senator Bunting said the Commissioner’s deployment of resources is perplexing and does not appear to be data-driven.  Almost 300 new graduates were deployed at the end of November but not a single graduate was assigned to the under-staffed hot spot divisions of St. James, Westmoreland, and Hanover.

"The Prime Minister, the Minister of Security, and the Commissioner of Police must be held accountable by the people of Jamaica for failing to ensure the safety of our communities. It's imperative to adopt a more comprehensive and nuanced approach, one that targets the root causes of crime while safeguarding the lives and security of all Jamaicans," urged Senator Bunting.

“The Opposition remains available to the government to partner on national security as we believe it requires every hand on deck. We have proposed cutting-edge crime-fighting tools, coupled with comprehensive social intervention programmes and heightened investment in law enforcement, as practical pathways towards a safer Jamaica. It's time to abandon failed strategies and embrace a multifaceted approach to tackle crime and violence head-on," he asserted.

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