Crime: Proposed solutions

THE EDITOR: Many thinking people have realised that the main cause of the problem of crime is the fact that in many families, young people get inadequate or improper education and training in those values that lead people to have respect for the rights of others; such as the right to life, to honour, to property, to peace and order. Traditionally, such values have been inculcated through adherence to a religion. Most religions teach the same basic moral code — respect and obedience to parents and other lawful authority, consideration for other persons, helpfulness to those in need, fair play in dealing with others. All religions forbid stealing, hurting anyone unjustly, bribery, sexual activity out of wedlock, murder. Adherence to religious moral code is effectively, self-policing.

The solution has two aspects — the long term and the short term measures. The purpose of long term measures is to inculcate in the individual citizen the values mentioned above. Since many families are not providing nurturing of such values, the task must fall on the community — religious bodies, civic organisations and the state. Within the schools, about 260,000 children of varying ages are in an environment of learning and training every day. The following measures are recommended for the relevant authorities to put in place. A prayer must be said at the beginning and at the end of the school day in every school. There must be at least three religious instruction (RI) periods per week. The RI teacher must be employed full time (serving more than one school if necessary), and paid a salary by the State.

There must be a more careful selection of teachers, so that persons with unsound/deviant character traits are not employed. The State must pay for time/space in the media for religious programmes to be put on by the various religious organisations. The State must enact and enforce laws to assist in the protection of the moral fibre of the society. For example, laws against writings, advertising, music and shows that promote/portray/glamorise violence, crime, indecency. The short-term measures are aimed at the suppression of crime by having a higher detection rate, quicker trial, reduction of illegal firearms and illegal drugs, increased police presence in public areas. Firstly, the members of the security forces who are involved in unlawful activities, must be removed. We recommend the following measures:

In the recruitment process, more stringent requirements for the good character of the applicant must be implemented. Set up an independent commission to investigate and to identify those members of the security forces involved in unlawful activities. The commission must be given full powers to command the attendance of witnesses to lay charges and to prosecute the cases in courts. Secondly, the management of the police service must be improved. Thirdly, the Coast Guard and the Army must mount an on-going daily, round-the-clock surveillance of the entire coastline and the airspace. Fourthly, laws must be enacted so that the assets of convicted criminals can be used for paying compensation to the victim/victim’s family.

ABDULLAH ALI
Cunupia