The Editor, Sir:

In the book They Cry 'Respect', social science researchers Horace Levy and Barry Chevannes have indicated that irresponsible political practice, and social and political decay have produced uncontrollable levels of crime and violence in Jamaica. Levy and Chevannes are of the view that the simple combination of politics and decay are the catalysts for the present rise of crime and violence in our country. As in other instances, the researchers have emphasised one side of the equation and have made light of the other side. There is no denying the contribution of irresponsible political practice, or social and political decay, to the high levels of crime and violence in Jamaica. Nevertheless, to emphasise these, without pointing to the contributions of the larger population, including the diaspora is to make light of a more complex problem. It is my view that high levels of crime and violence are far more complex than Levy and Chevannes are purporting to suggest.

The first reason, as indicated earlier, that high levels of crime and violence cannot simply be equated with politics and social decay is the fact that politicians and technocrats are not the only players. In other words, to suggest that crime and violence in Jamaica is a direct result of irresponsible politicians and technocrats is to absolve those who, for example, break stop signs and traffic lights, as well as bring goods into the country without examination by Customs. It is the freedom to bring goods into the country without examination, that causes guns, bullets and illegal drugs to come into the country.

High crime levels

The second reason the high levels of crime and violence is far more complex than Chevannes and Levy would have us believe is the fact that crime and violence is a moneymaking enterprise. Both men agree that the decline of the influence of the politicians, and the rise of the inner-city don, is a factor influencing the levels of crime and violence in our country. In fact, their argument is supported by claims that a former don of Spanish Town fame, when the police killed him, was discovered to own billions of dollars of fixed, and liquid, assets both locally and overseas. It is suggested by some pundits that this don acquired much of his wealth through extortion and drug running.

Indeed, it is an attempt to give us a glimpse into the underworld of the business of crime that Errol McDonald has given us in the novel Legitimate Resistance. McDonald outlines, in narrative form, the idea that criminal activities in Jamaica have connections in London, Paris, New York, Toronto, Colombia and Kingston. McDonald suggests that billions of dollars move across these cities and countries and thousands of people benefit. The benefits spread from the establishment of multibillion-dollar businesses to payment to block roads and facilitate demonstrations. The business of crime and violence and the huge profits gained by a number of people are central to the levels of crime and violence in Jamaica. We omit the relationship between crime and money at our peril.

Crime does not pay

The third reason is by way of solution. Embracing the adage 'crime does not pay' can solve the high levels of crime and violence in Jamaica. Crime does not pay because the society, in general, still has some respect and regard for human life. In the world of the criminal, killing a human being is of no consequence. The bottom line for the criminal is making money as well as achieving and keeping power. A number of us, for example, cringe when we read of, or hear about, the killing or maiming of another person, especially a child. The fact is, in the criminal world, money and power, and not life, is that which is sacred. We need therefore to decide as a nation if indeed life is sacred. The criminals have already made it clear that human life is a means to an end - the end being money and power. As a society, we need to decide if life is sacred to us. If we consider life as sacred and worthy of respect, and I believe we do, then we need to begin to demonstrate our commitment to human life. Those who defend power and money have been making their voices heard. What about the rest of us?

Chevannes and Levy have pointed to the problem of high levels of crime and violence. I have argued that the problem is far more complex. Nevertheless, I have suggested that the solution lies in the defence of the sacredness or respect for life. Crime does not pay for those who are willing to defend the sacredness of, or respect for life. Where do you stand?

I am, etc.,

Rev GARTH MINOTT

gminot1@hotmail.com