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“As we maintain a holistic approach to crime management, we urge our stakeholders to remain attentive to the acts of organised crime and how the criminal elements in our society are strengthening their capacity to be an even greater threat to citizen safety and security..." - PSOJ
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The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) in a recent press release expressed its pleasure for the recent announcement by Police Commissioner that there has been a 22 per cent decline in major crimes at the end of March 2023, when compared to the corresponding period last year.
The PSOJ said the news was a positive development, given the negative impact crime has on the society and the economy.The group however said that it remains concerned about organised crimes and the impact gang violence and illicit drug trade has on Jamaica. It pointed out that as at March 31, gang conflicts accounted for 67 per cent of murders, noting this means that hundreds of lives have been taken senselessly.
PSOJ said:
“We join in the commissioner’s concern regarding the worrying pattern of murders attributed to interpersonal conflicts, which currently stands at 22 per cent. Additionally, violence-related injury data from our hospitals currently point to an urgent crisis on our hands in the management of other criminal activities, including blunt force trauma, stabbings, burn attacks, which place an enormous pressure on our hospitals."
The PSOJ also noted that criminal acts, reflected in the violence-related injury data from the hospitals, “speak to an urgent societal problem – that while major crimes are going down, we have these debilitating acts which currently outweigh major crimes, placing tremendous pressure on state resources.”
The group called for an urgent response from the Government and the related state agencies in addressing the growing problem.
“As we maintain a holistic approach to crime management, we urge our stakeholders to remain attentive to the acts of organised crime and how the criminal elements in our society are strengthening their capacity to be an even greater threat to citizen safety and security. In its literal sense, we need to follow the money that is being poured into these criminal organisations that are relentless in their mission to create mayhem and erode our societal structure,” said the PSOJ.
It added that reducing crime is not only beneficial to the social fabric of the society, but also to Jamaica's economy, noting that crime negatively impacts productivity, repels investment, and increases the cost of doing business in the country.
"So, with the meaningful reduction in crime, we will undoubtedly see its impact being felt in the economy, with additional resources being made available for the social and economic development of our people," the PSOJ said.
"All stakeholders need to continue working collaboratively to disrupt the onslaught of crime and violence in Jamaica. While we can appreciate the progress reported by the JCF, it is essential that we work to not only sustain these gains, but also put in place the necessary measures to ensure we don’t backslide. This is the only way we can ensure that real progress is made in stamping out crime and not only short-term gains," declared the private sector group.
It also called for programmes aimed at empowering communities to actively participate in crime prevention initiatives through greater investment and employment opportunities for at-risk youth.
“Ultimately, with the sustained reduction in crime and removal of criminal strongholds in our communities, we will be able to make the necessary social intervention and support required by Jamaicans to thrive. So, while we continue to work through interventions such as Project STAR, we urge all our stakeholders to remain proactive in the implementation of our ongoing crime management, to ensure that we are able to provide sustainable social and economic development opportunities,” the group added.
The PSOJ also welcomed the announcement from the Ministry of National Security in March, that 2,000 trainee constables had been added to the JCF cohort over the past two years.
It also cited the recently launched partnership between Jamaica and a number of United States law enforcement agencies to provide resources, expertise, and information to a number of arms of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to maximise the JCF's ability to detect, prevent, investigate and respond to transnational criminal activities.
In stating its continued support for the JamaicaEye network, the group pledged to support the expansion of the network, noting that it has been an asset to stakeholders in fighting crime. It appealed to the wider public to support the security forces in crime fighting efforts.
“The PSOJ has met with the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition, and has committed our support for a unified and collaborative response to Jamaica's crime management.
“The recent conviction of the leader of the One Don gang marks a win for the country's anti-gang legislation. We implore the Government to prioritise the continued legislative reforms that will enable the JCF and the justice system to tackle crime properly and effectively. We are also looking for further updates on the Enhanced Security Legislation, for which we have bipartisan commitment,” added the group.
“We stand ready to give our utmost support in the fight against crime. To maintain a sustained reduction in crime, the Government must be vigilant and proactive while collaborating with all stakeholders. We can create a safer, more prosperous Jamaica for all by working together,” concluded the PSOJ release.
The PSOJ also noted that criminal acts, reflected in the violence-related injury data from the hospitals, “speak to an urgent societal problem – that while major crimes are going down, we have these debilitating acts which currently outweigh major crimes, placing tremendous pressure on state resources.”
The group called for an urgent response from the Government and the related state agencies in addressing the growing problem.
“As we maintain a holistic approach to crime management, we urge our stakeholders to remain attentive to the acts of organised crime and how the criminal elements in our society are strengthening their capacity to be an even greater threat to citizen safety and security. In its literal sense, we need to follow the money that is being poured into these criminal organisations that are relentless in their mission to create mayhem and erode our societal structure,” said the PSOJ.
It added that reducing crime is not only beneficial to the social fabric of the society, but also to Jamaica's economy, noting that crime negatively impacts productivity, repels investment, and increases the cost of doing business in the country.
"So, with the meaningful reduction in crime, we will undoubtedly see its impact being felt in the economy, with additional resources being made available for the social and economic development of our people," the PSOJ said.
"All stakeholders need to continue working collaboratively to disrupt the onslaught of crime and violence in Jamaica. While we can appreciate the progress reported by the JCF, it is essential that we work to not only sustain these gains, but also put in place the necessary measures to ensure we don’t backslide. This is the only way we can ensure that real progress is made in stamping out crime and not only short-term gains," declared the private sector group.
It also called for programmes aimed at empowering communities to actively participate in crime prevention initiatives through greater investment and employment opportunities for at-risk youth.
“Ultimately, with the sustained reduction in crime and removal of criminal strongholds in our communities, we will be able to make the necessary social intervention and support required by Jamaicans to thrive. So, while we continue to work through interventions such as Project STAR, we urge all our stakeholders to remain proactive in the implementation of our ongoing crime management, to ensure that we are able to provide sustainable social and economic development opportunities,” the group added.
The PSOJ also welcomed the announcement from the Ministry of National Security in March, that 2,000 trainee constables had been added to the JCF cohort over the past two years.
It also cited the recently launched partnership between Jamaica and a number of United States law enforcement agencies to provide resources, expertise, and information to a number of arms of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to maximise the JCF's ability to detect, prevent, investigate and respond to transnational criminal activities.
In stating its continued support for the JamaicaEye network, the group pledged to support the expansion of the network, noting that it has been an asset to stakeholders in fighting crime. It appealed to the wider public to support the security forces in crime fighting efforts.
“The PSOJ has met with the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition, and has committed our support for a unified and collaborative response to Jamaica's crime management.
“The recent conviction of the leader of the One Don gang marks a win for the country's anti-gang legislation. We implore the Government to prioritise the continued legislative reforms that will enable the JCF and the justice system to tackle crime properly and effectively. We are also looking for further updates on the Enhanced Security Legislation, for which we have bipartisan commitment,” added the group.
“We stand ready to give our utmost support in the fight against crime. To maintain a sustained reduction in crime, the Government must be vigilant and proactive while collaborating with all stakeholders. We can create a safer, more prosperous Jamaica for all by working together,” concluded the PSOJ release.
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