The security forces have embarked on a strategy to dismantle the criminal gangs across the islands by targeting the gang leaders. This approach has some merits since a significant amount of the crime and violence in the country is attributed to gang activities. It is heartening to see that a number of gang leaders have so far turned themselves in and I urge the others to do likewise.
My concerns however are who and what will now fill the vacuum that will be created by this strategy? Who will now provide the leadership that the gang leaders provide their communities? Will the security forces provide the security that the inner city communities get from the gangs? What will replace the economic activities that the gangs and their leaders generate? Who will provide justice that the gang leaders dispense? We can deny it as much as we want, but the dons and their gangs provide important economic and social functions to an increasing number of communities in Jamaica. The truth is, for several decades now we have ceded sections of the country to the underworld and divested critical state functions to dons and their republics.
Going forward there must be a collaborative and concerted efforts by the state, private sector, civil society, the church and all well thinking Jamaica to bring about transformation to the inner city communities and Jamaica in general. We must not make the mistake of perpetuating patronage by just giving out handouts. Emphasis must be place on sustainable development and community transformation. Education, skills training, income generation, sanitation, life skills and personal development must be given priority. Most importantly, attention must be focus on the thousands of young men all over the country who at risked of becoming the next generation of dons and gang members.
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Orville Plummer
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