CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

A Drastic Viewpoint

I had various topics in my head; however, this one seems to have a yearning to be posted.
I have often said that the diaspora sees things through “rose coloured glasses”, when it comes to making suggestions. They are also misguided by nostalgia, which tends to cloud the mind. However, some things need to be said, and in this case I am speaking about the crime and violence in Jamaica.
My friends (living in Jamaica) keep telling me that the crime is not a problem, and I should not believe what I read in the media. Well, that is all good for them to say that, but the figures speak for themselves. The last time I checked, the murders in 2006 were 1400+ and in 2007 it is already at 1500, and counting.
Let us see this as what it really is …. it is a WAR. It must be treated as a “war” and stop the “culture of death”, living in a coffin, environment.
In the past few years, all the best intentioned protocols put into place to stem the murder rate, has not been successful.
IT HAS NOT WORKED.
My suggestions should not be viewed in isolation, but taken as a whole and implemented in parallel and simultaneously.

1. Human Rights must be suspended for 6-12 months.
The “bleeding hearts” will oppose this, and other countries will also be against such action. But wait a second, the savages who are killing other human beings (their own Jamaicans) are not giving the law abiding people ANY rights, they are killing randomly for no reason. The “bleeding hearts” and other countries do not have to tolerate this wanton savagery.
2. Any person found with an illegal firearm gets 5 years mandatory sentence, no parole. If they use that firearm for any illegal purpose then they will be tried for that, and if found guilty, then sentenced to serve it consecutively.
3. Flogging must be instituted for anyone using an illegal firearm.
4. There must be a curfew (6pm – 6am) established in the violence prone areas. This must be rigidly enforced.
5. The police should be given the resources and the JDF must be actively involved.
6. The justice system must be fixed, so that ALL accused be brought to trial within 12-24 months. That is the only “rights” they are going to get..
7. The education system should be fixed, so that it becomes mandatory for children to be and stay in school.
8. Vocational schools must be established, so that young adults leaving school, who have no desire to further their academic standard, can be channeled into the these schools to learn a trade. The trade will be beneficial to them in getting meaningful employment.
9. If these young adults refuse (bona fide reason) to attend the established vocational schools, they must join and STAY in the JDF for a minimum of 6 years.
10. Professionals trained in Jamaica, must agree to stay in the country and practice their profession for a minimum of 3 years before they can emigrate.
11. Law abiding citizens must collectively “take back” their country, one inch at a time. Out of many, one people.

These are drastic suggestions; however, we must take our head out of the sand to see that these are drastic times. The criminals have declared war on the rest of the country.
If the stigma of “number one murder country” in the world is acceptable, then keep on doing what has never worked or do nothing.
If the crime rate does not decrease, then investments will not be forthcoming and the economy will suffer. Jamaica and Jamaicans will be the worse off if nothing is done.

Anyone, living in Jamaica, reading this, may become outraged and so you should. As a Jamaican resident, you may object to the suggestions, and that is your right. However, I respectfully ask you to think of what YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY, to stop this war.

Speak up.

“When good men/women do nothing, evil triumphs”