JAMAICA, THE LAND OF BLOOD AND GUNS

 

Jamaicans living overseas, particularly in the United States, express growing concerns about various issues back home. At the recent grace Atlanta jerk festival in Lithonia, Georgia, attendees shared their perspectives with the observer online, highlighting prominent worries of crime rates in the country.

Many Jamaicans abroad are troubled by the escalating crime rates and the soaring cost of living in their home country. Shelly Ann, residing in Atlanta for 18 years, emphasized the impact on her visits, where a minimum expense of $3,000 is required for a full and secure experience. She stressed addressing the prevalent crime issues that often hinder individuals from venturing beyond resorts due to safety concerns.

 

Randy from Philadelphia voiced his concern over the crime and violence in Jamaica, proposing the reintroduction of capital punishment as a potential deterrent. He also suggested putting those serving life sentences to work, believing that productive activities could contribute to rehabilitation. His sentiments reflect a deep desire for a more robust response to crime, particularly crimes against children and women.

 

 

In recent years it has become commonplace to blame ordinary Jamaicans for the vaccine crisis, and later we hear corporal punishment and the inability of families to solve domestic disputes peacefully are responsible for the high rates of crime and violence in the country.

 

Jamaica is ravaged by the scourge of crime and violence which continue to play havoc on our people. It is the single biggest impediment to growth and development. Crime and violence have cost the country billions of dollars; not to mention the loss of thousands of innocent lives. Successive governments have failed to find sustainable solutions to our crime problems.

I do agree with the sentiments of the citizens as these are issues, we as Jamaicans have been affected by as well locally. Crime and violence is like a negative virus spreading without a cure all over the island.       

 

In Jamaica the definition of crime generally hinges on its most extreme and violent manifestations. However, one should note that criminal acts include white-collar crimes, vehicular crimes, and other forms of deviance.

 

political, social, economic, ideological, psychological, cultural, and administrative factors, I believe, influence crime and violence in Jamaica. These factors are all intertwined, as the socioeconomic structure of the time promotes a culture of crime and violence on a large scale. this spectrum goes from a passive, social acceptance of little cheating and reckless driving practices and white-collar crimes on the other, to murder, rape, robbery, and a total breakdown of civil order. As a result, the crime and violence problem is exceedingly complicated, with no quick or easy solution.

Jamaica’s twin problem of crime and violence has generally been met by knee-jerk responses from the government in response to an upsurge in violent activities, especially a spike in murders and gun crimes. More often than not, a crack team, special operation, special force or squad is created within the Jamaica Constabulary Force and deployed to deal with the immediate issues on the ground. The included table chronicles a few.

 

The existing zone of special operations (zoso) initiative is a combination of different elements, resembling a mobile and continuous state of emergency. it involves the deployment of Jamaica defense force members to address spikes in violence and related criminal activities within specific communities, aiming to restore peace and a feeling of safety. However, these various squads, forces, operations, and emergency declarations have, on the whole, been unsuccessful in curbing the rise of criminal and violent incidents.

 

 

 

 

Crime discussions often focus on violence, but not all crimes are violent, with white-collar crimes increasing in Jamaica, including credit card skimming and theft. Non-violent crimes such as cellphone theft and cons are also on the rise.  I believe addressing the supportive framework for corruption is crucial to curb criminal activities that may escalate into violence. The surge in interpersonal conflicts leading to violence, especially in domestic scenarios, requires social measures tied to social, economic, and gendered issues. Political will is necessary, involving both the government and citizens, to combat crime. Focusing on the root causes, including cultural and social factors, is essential.

The failure to implement social measures proposed almost 30 years ago raises questions about the long-term impact. A comprehensive approach, with a broad social consensus, is urgently needed to alleviate Jamaica’s crime burden for future generations.