Private sector’s role in fighting crime

THE business community must be commended for its forthright call to the Parliament to take action against crime. But the limitations of such calls were starkly demonstrated by the events of the weekend, in which six persons were killed. One of these individuals was a policeman, who was killed by bandits when he and three other officers responded to a robbery report. This is just further evidence that the bandits of this country feel they are in control. In particular, the murder in front of the Frederick Street gaol, the gang execution on the Brian Lara Promenade, and the murder of a soldier in Laventille, show that criminals have absolutely no fear of the authorities.

The statement from the Organisations Representative of the Private Sector, published in full-page newspaper ads last week, was an attempt to embarrass the Government and Opposition into tackling the crime problem in a serious way. But embarrassment is a weapon of limited use. In their statement, the 17 business organisations pointed out that “Concrete solutions covering administrative reform of the police, judicial, penal and social systems, among others, have been offered by numerous organisations and individuals, including a Committee appointed by the Prime Minister.” But, if the business community wants the Government to implement these measures, they have to bring more pressure to bear. And, far more than the general public, business people are best placed to do so.

Contrary to the rightly maligned “Fix Me First” ad campaign, different individuals have different levels of influence on the society. Since political parties depend on the private sector for campaign funding, business people are in a position to catalyse political change and, concomitantly, have a greater responsibility to do so than ordinary citizens. So business persons and corporations must not offer funding only with the understanding that the Government will favour them in its economic policies and even with contracts. They must offer funding and other support with political conditionalities attached — constitutional reform of the Senate, for example, could have great impact on legislation and policies designed to improve the Police Service.

Despite the national predilection for quick-fix measures which do not actually fix anything, the business community must make sure its demands on Government are long-term ones. What, then, are the key issues which need to be dealt with? Reform of the Police Service certainly is at the top of the list, with two priorities being the hiring of civil servants to handle clerical work and the rooting out of corrupt and psychotic officers. There must be prison reform, aimed at making the nation’s gaols more humane places.

The magistracy has to be completely overhauled so that infrastructure is modernised and magistrates’ workload lessened. In terms of social programmes, the URP needs to be reformed or dismantled, and there must be a comprehensive skills training programme aimed at youths who now prefer to join gangs. This is just a short and inadequate list. But we hope the private sector remains active in helping bring about these and other reforms.