Crime fighting requires holistic approach--Lincoln Lewis

Guyana Chronicle

CRIME is one element of the culture in every society and a result of structural deficiencies. It speaks to a problem rooted in our economic, political and social development or lack thereof.

Amidst reported increase in violent crime and the desire to have same contained and finally eliminated, such can be realised through a holistic approach. A holistic approach will factor in a strategy to avoid and solve crime.

Crime fighting has to become part of the nation’s economic plan since the economic plan is what informs development and people-centred development contributes to the reduction and elimination of crime. It is important to note in each society/community the pattern of crime differs, and it is for this reason crime fighting has to be tackled based on the characteristics of the society/community.

In making crime fighting part of the nation’s developmental thrust each community, region and town ought to be given the needed support to develop their own indigenous plan and programme to lift their residents out of poverty which factors in the creation of decent jobs. Inherent in this, a system must be developed to avoid persons from getting into criminal activity alongside actions to crime solving.

Of immediate concern is the morphing cultural acceptance of the glorification of the ‘get-rich-quick syndrome’ and this is one factor that affects persons across the socio-economic and political spectrum as seen in proliferation of the narco-economy, which rivals the formal economy and carries with it reprisals killings, both of which pose clear and present danger to the nation’s security (i.e. people, borders and government).

Crime cannot be solved or miminised by just giving to the police and other attendant arms vehicles, guns and communication technologies. In fact, hardware is not the only solution to crime fighting.

An important element in arresting crime is the fostering of good Community/Police relations, and this has been absent for too long in the society. Citizens must not only feel comfortable that the police will Serve and Protect, that they can play a role by providing valuable information with the confidentiality ensured, but the time is now to examine the feasibility of having systems in place where officers are empowered to provide basic community services such as in minor conflict resolution or pointing the aggrieved to social services systems that can handle their matter.

In the 21st century, crime fighting has to factor in the wellbeing of officers, the citizenry and weeding out those who use the cover of their uniform to ride shotgun for dastardly acts.

Empowering the police and citizenry in working together in avoiding and solving crime requires a Police Force whose members are properly trained and remunerated, where basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, utilities and proving education for their children can be met. The tedious and vexing bureaucracy where the promoted have to await extended period for their new wages/salary and custodian officials are made to feel the execution of this function is at his/her whim or fancy ought to be revisited.

It becomes necessary in addition to addressing claims of favoritism for promotion to also examine the provision of soft loans for housing and vehicles, improved housing facilities for ranks transferred away from the area they reside, having the Police Credit Union managed along principles similar to the banking system. Addressing the wellbeing of workers tasked with the responsibility of crime fighting is important in pursuit of the objective.

This nation is aware there are persons who have mismanaged and abused the resources of this country but yet, at the same time, they are not being asked to account for their stewardship, while the junior staff on many occasions have been dismissed and placed on the breadline.

There will be no deterrence to crime when those who are accused of blue collar and low-level white collar crimes are held to account while at the same time allowing higher level and politically connected to walk free. Those who through their incompetence have contributed to this country losing millions/billions of dollars cannot be allowed to continue. Perpetuating their incompetence will send the signal that criminality is an incentive, which will undermine efforts at crime-fighting.

It needs to be understood that every dollar spent from the national coffer without prescribed permission is an abuse of the citizens/workers/taxpayers. Corruption is a human rights violation since it undermines human development. Corruption means less scarce resources available to go towards social services and wages for public servants.

White collar and blue collar crimes are both hindrance to the development of the society and must be confronted with equal passion, resources and commitment. This nation is replete with evidence where some who, through various means have used state property illegally, continue to hold office and/or have not faced the brunt of the law while the small man is placed before the court.

Where personnel have mismanaged the people’s money on failed project(s) in the name of the people, termination of service or ignoring this violation is inadequate. These persons must be called to account and since the current government in its manifesto has made it clear that it will be a government of the people and was elected to be better than the previous government, their approach to crime is expected to be holistic.

This nation has lived through dark days where recent governments have aided, cuddled and abetted criminality in various forms, be it State-associated phantom squad, plundering the nation’s resources, association with known questionable characters, or unleashing State agencies to transgress citizens’/workers’ rights and violate laws.

There must be a change in the way the people’s business is managed, for what was wrong under the PPP cannot be right under the APNU+AFC. Given the people have clamoured and worked for a change, the change must not be seen just in faces but in spirit and the way the nation’s business is being managed. Change requires conformity with our Constitution, Laws, universal declarations, regional and international charters and conventions. It’s the citizens’ civic duty to partner with Government and ensures it operates consistent with these principles.