Reader warns: Learn from Jamaica's mistakes
tribune242 editorial
Nassau, The Bahamas
IN THIS column yesterday we commented on a proposal to Government by former Bahamian gangleaders to get crime under control by using them to create community jobs for the unemployed.
Having formed an alliance - United Against Crime (UAC) -- to mobilise resources and support for community based initiatives, the former gang leaders presented their proposal to National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest and senior members of the Police Force.
UAC's top priority is to create economic opportunities for the unemployed, who through lack of jobs are driven to crime.
"Whenever there is poverty there is crime. When people can't pay the bills they find other ways. The police can't do anything, with all due respect, until after the fact," said Valentino "Squaw" Josey, spokesman for the group. He said that community leaders - presumably himself and his fellow former gang members -- are the key to successful preventative measures.
He suggested that community leaders should be employed to do full time community work -- mediating conflicts, building side walks, cleaning the community, landscaping and performing other tasks. They proposed a partnership with the government and corporate society. He suggested that instead of giving government jobs to big contractors, the jobs should all be kept within the community. For example, he said, a $10,000 contract to paint a school could be given to a community leader, who could then employ other people in the community. And by working more closely with the community "we stand a chance to eliminate crime."
This could be a solution, but it is also the very kernel from which a serious problem could develop in the future.
This was partially the story of how the Tivoli Garden's saga started in Jamaica several years ago. It ended last year in the storming by Jamaican security forces of Tivoli Gardens, where it was believed that Tivoli's don, "Dudus" Coke, wanted on drug and gun running charges in the US, was hiding. Tivoli residents, whose very existence depended on the generosity of gangleader "Dudus," violently fought off government forces to protect their community leader. Seventy-three Jamaican's were killed in that clash.
Mr Turnquest told the leaders that government would not provide them with financial backing without "accountability and transparency."
We backed Mr Turnquest's stand, because we do not believe in arbitrarily cutting off an extended olive branch without a thorough hearing. However, for us there was a caveat and that was the case of Tivoli. We are certain that this is not the intent of our reformed Bahamian gangleaders, nor was it the intent of those of Tivoli Gardens when the political leaders got involved with the "community leaders." But in the end it was the unintended that eventually happened. Good intentions ended in tragedy.
A Mr Patrick Beersingh of Jamaica, having read this column on Tribune242.com, on Monday had the following comment. His interpretation of the proposal: "Community work translates to legitimizing gang control" -
"Editor,
"You seem to be supporting the idea, in spirit at least, that the so-called 'Community Leaders' should be employed to do 'full time community work'. That would be a huge mistake. I speak from personal knowledge of having experienced the very same idea implemented in Jamaica in the 1970's. You are so correct when you say that these ideas led to the Tivoli invasion. However, if you explore 'community work' closer you will see that the 'Community Leaders' are the Dons and Gang Leaders, who are attempting to get legitimacy to enforce their particular brand of law and order via intimidation and doling out scarce benefits within the community. This would see them grow in power until it takes a full scale assault on their neighbourhoods to dislodge them, when they eventually fall afoul of the supremacy of the organs of State, which they most certainly will.
"Look at the Crash Programme of the 1970's under PM Michael Manley. Now MP's are actually given monies to spend within their constituencies, which they use to influence their affiliated criminal organizations. Work is hardly done any more in exchange for this dole. Apart from the billions wasted on these programmes, what they do more than anything else, is to give legitimacy to the local criminals, making them into national and international dons of crime. What they become are state sponsored, Gang Controlled Neighbourhoods.
"Learn from your neighbour's mistakes!"
We are certain government will take a long and serious look at UAC's proposal.
Prime Minister Ingraham has launched another initiative aimed at the unemployed -- government's job readiness and training programme. The object is to prepare the unskilled for jobs as the economy rebounds. These are the programmes that these young men should be encouraged by their gang leaders to take advantage of.
September 06, 2011
tribune242 editorial
An International Caribbean Online Log about the news and opinions in the Americas and World. This Caribbean Blog of global reach and appeal is maintained by Bahamian Blogger - Dennis Dames with all readers and subscribers in mind.
