The shaping of a safer society

It has caused me to pick back up my pen. What is significant in this particular scenario is the fact that the gunmen showed absolutely no regard or respect for the police as, according to the report, the shooting took place a mere 200 metres from the police station and the gunmen were actually firing shots at the station, causing police to be running for cover.

It should be noted that the shooters were not on foot. They arrived in two cars and committed their murderous acts from the comfort of their vehicles. This has become the modus operandi of most gunmen. They are the owners of fast cars and most of them have tremendous driving skills.

Having regards to the fact that gunmen seldom emerge from tracks to take out their victims and having regard to the type of sophisticated and high-powered weapons available to them, there should not be a police station operating without a functioning mobile stop-and-search unit whose day-to-day function is to conduct random searches on vehicles specifically for arms, ammunition and explosive devices, with foot patrols conducting similar exercises by day and by night in all areas countrywide, using a three shift-system.

There are motorists who carry illegal weapons who are not yet known to police and this faction of gunmen are permitted to drive though this country’s length and breadth unobstructed and unchallenged by police, with nothing to fear, with nothing to be concerned about, with not a worry in God’s world. They therefore continue their reign of horror and mayhem relentlessly.

Whenever a decision is taken to implement this action-oriented initiative, there will be a significant reduction in firearm-related offences.

When commenced, expansion and an increase in frequencies of its operations are moves that would surely increase its effectiveness as a deterrent and no doubt extend its range of usefulness.

The measure would also serve to protect important structures and their occupants against destructive blasts in ISIS-like fashion. To the concept of modern technology to fight crime, I say “yes”, but the principles of the “old school” under which random searches fall must be retained.

Concerning shootings, what must be regarded by our administrators as the straw that broke the camel’s back is the fact that two men were bold enough to go to a police station armed with guns, firing shots and wounding a police officer on duty.

Those who are in a position to take action on this issue must do so with haste. This horrifying incident must never go down as just another shooting.

A powerful message must be sent as “the waters have been tested.” Less than adequate attention is being paid to career criminals while on bail for gun-related offences. This “bunch” requires constant monitoring as in their desperation to raise the cash needed for legal representation for their pending matters, they would revert to their former customs, they would pick back up their guns, causing pain and suffering to people, necessitating the usual lighting of candles.

The Government of the day and the Opposition must therefore act speedily to do what is expedient to offer some measure of protection to both the business community and the citizenry from this category of criminals.

Talks by eloquent speakers and exhortation by men of the cloth geared to changing the mindset of hardened criminals seldom attain their desired effects. It has been prophesied by inspired authors who have gone before that there would be people among us who would be so engrossed in their evil ways that not even the message of an angel with all its brightness and glory would deter them from their path.

Harsh measures in dealing with this plague must be deployed. Some degree of reasoning too is necessary.

Risks of which people have no control engender changes in human behaviour; therefore risk creation must be a critical element in any plan that is designed to induce a change in behaviour of the lawless.

Passing laws that would make firearm possession an unbailable offence simultaneously with the introduction of the police mobile stop-and-search programme is sure to create terrible risks for this particular group. This double-faceted approach must, by natural instinct, lead one to become concerned for his personal safety as all routes would then be considered unsafe for that sector.

With dedicated policemen operating these units like well-oiled machinery far and wide, the population would be anxious to witness for themselves how many criminals, as hardened as they may be, would be willing to play the game of Russian roulette with their freedom.

Hunters, ballistic experts and gun-repair personnel who are civilians should be warned against venturing into a public place with a firearm or with any firearm part without the relevant documentation.

It is most appropriate that the 90-day bail arrangement for gun possession should be applied to this category of firearm dealers should the occasion arise.

The foregoing pointers may be worthwhile adhering to for the shaping of a safer society.