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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Rooting out crime</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Dennis Morrison
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>The revelation by sources in the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) that guns are being stockpiled in some communities in anticipation of the coming election campaign is very bad news. It is an ominous reminder of how political rivalry has fuelled the murderous criminal activity that threatens our society. Unmoved by the brutal killings being carried out with the use of guns, that some of our politicians, it seems, are recruiting foot soldiers as they position themselves to make a grab for power.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=70 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Dennis Morrison </SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>This connection between politics and gun criminals has, over the past 40 years, undermined law and order and pushed Jamaica high up on the list of violence-prone countries. Contract killings are reported to be common and those involved in gang warfare are among the most ruthless anywhere. The proof of this is that children and old people are no longer spared in reprisal killings by Jamaican gangs. Neither here nor in the USA, Canada and the UK do they show any mercy at all.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Killings are often effected transnationally with disputes or power struggles that erupt in one country leading to multiple murders in another. And gangs maintain their political allegiances whether they operate here or abroad. The overseas-based gangs provide weapons to their allies at home. Access to supplies of weaponry is therefore more liberal than in the early days when the gangs were entirely domestically based.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Rival gangs have more recently adapted their modus operandi so that in between elections they co-operate in their drug dealings. By co-operating as they compete, the big players have been able to lessen their dependence on political patronage. But in an election environment old battle lines reappear and garrison communities receive reinforcements of guns and ammunition. Whether directed by political bosses or not, this mobilisation does not take place without the knowledge of some of our top politicians. In some cases, it may well be done at their behest.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Information from several people who are close to communities where political intimidation and violence are key elements of electioneering indicates that the upsurge in major crimes in St James is partly related to politics. According to such sources, "shottas" who were recruited in Kingston and Spanish Town and inserted in certain St James constituencies in the 2002 election campaign are stirring again. It is also felt that some of them have been absorbed in the drug trade and other criminal activities in western Jamaica.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The situation is complicated by the involvement of corrupt police officers, some of whom were recently arrested in St James. Judging by the large number of them and the sharp rise in murders, it would appear that a deep rot has set in over the years. As intelligence activity was stepped up in the Corporate Area over the past two years, some criminal elements are also likely to have fled to what was once safer territory in western parishes. The magnet of urbanisation in northern and central St James would have pulled hustlers and marginal characters to the area as well.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The commissioner of police has signalled his clear intention to stamp hard on the crime network in St James. His efforts will not, however, produce the required results without the full backing of th
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Dennis Morrison
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>The revelation by sources in the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) that guns are being stockpiled in some communities in anticipation of the coming election campaign is very bad news. It is an ominous reminder of how political rivalry has fuelled the murderous criminal activity that threatens our society. Unmoved by the brutal killings being carried out with the use of guns, that some of our politicians, it seems, are recruiting foot soldiers as they position themselves to make a grab for power.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=70 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Dennis Morrison </SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>This connection between politics and gun criminals has, over the past 40 years, undermined law and order and pushed Jamaica high up on the list of violence-prone countries. Contract killings are reported to be common and those involved in gang warfare are among the most ruthless anywhere. The proof of this is that children and old people are no longer spared in reprisal killings by Jamaican gangs. Neither here nor in the USA, Canada and the UK do they show any mercy at all.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Killings are often effected transnationally with disputes or power struggles that erupt in one country leading to multiple murders in another. And gangs maintain their political allegiances whether they operate here or abroad. The overseas-based gangs provide weapons to their allies at home. Access to supplies of weaponry is therefore more liberal than in the early days when the gangs were entirely domestically based.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Rival gangs have more recently adapted their modus operandi so that in between elections they co-operate in their drug dealings. By co-operating as they compete, the big players have been able to lessen their dependence on political patronage. But in an election environment old battle lines reappear and garrison communities receive reinforcements of guns and ammunition. Whether directed by political bosses or not, this mobilisation does not take place without the knowledge of some of our top politicians. In some cases, it may well be done at their behest.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Information from several people who are close to communities where political intimidation and violence are key elements of electioneering indicates that the upsurge in major crimes in St James is partly related to politics. According to such sources, "shottas" who were recruited in Kingston and Spanish Town and inserted in certain St James constituencies in the 2002 election campaign are stirring again. It is also felt that some of them have been absorbed in the drug trade and other criminal activities in western Jamaica.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The situation is complicated by the involvement of corrupt police officers, some of whom were recently arrested in St James. Judging by the large number of them and the sharp rise in murders, it would appear that a deep rot has set in over the years. As intelligence activity was stepped up in the Corporate Area over the past two years, some criminal elements are also likely to have fled to what was once safer territory in western parishes. The magnet of urbanisation in northern and central St James would have pulled hustlers and marginal characters to the area as well.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The commissioner of police has signalled his clear intention to stamp hard on the crime network in St James. His efforts will not, however, produce the required results without the full backing of th
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