Rick Lowe
From house breaking to car jacking to armed robbery to murder, few of us can deny that it is usually at the forefront of casual conversations and top of mind when we're driving.
Our political class is blamed for their failure to bring crime under control for decades and successive governments now. But is it really their responsibility alone? After all, it's usually somebody's child committing the crime.
In other words, society as a whole is where the crime stems from, so the question is should we be doing more to assist in the fight against it?
The PLP have had "swift justice" and the FNM now have "Zero Tolerance", cute slogans designed to put the public at ease. But without society's willingness to report crime and suspicious looking people or incidents - even if it's their "good child" - how do we move forward?
I agree with zero tolerance by the way. Book us if we don't follow the rules of the road or litter etc. With that alone society will start to become more aware that the Police really exist. Sometimes it goes weeks and we do not see a Police patrol, on foot or in a car.
In defence of the Police, it must get overwhelming sometimes with all the crime, particularly when many of us in society seem to be against their efforts, but something must be done, and it will not be solved over night either.
One idea, that is not new, is creating more neighbourhood watches. This is something that should be discussed by leaders and the Police every chance they get so that the idea becomes more palatable to society as a whole. In other words, a more consistent effort to get the community (neighbours, churches, social clubs etc) involved is crucial.
Another idea is privatising some of the Police services. Yes, you read that right. Private security patrols might help. Heck if the city of London, England can consider it, why can't we?
Furthermore, and maybe more importantly, as noted in October last year; "Let's hope that on this issue, if no other, the politico's can prove that they are adults concerned about ridding our country of crime instead of their political ambitions" and come together to offer possible solutions to help solve this vexing issue.
