The public response to crime waves has been consistent, regardless of which political party has been the Government. It is emotive, characterised by fear, anger, outrage, impatience and helplessness translated into calls for immediate action and results or a saviour to rescue the country from the scourge of crime. No saviour has emerged, though a few have attempted to play the role of prophets.
Politicians have also been consistent. The techniques used have been to shift blame and responsibility to the society, agencies and institutions which comprise the criminal justice system, the media and other political opponents. There have been crime plans, the purchase of military and technological assets, joint patrols, a state of emergency, and catchily named social programmes, none of which have worked. New laws have also been introduced, new agencies formed, and foreign assistance obtained in addition to the usual rhetoric and recrimination. There have been task force reports, local and regional talk shops and gun talk. However, acceptance of responsibility has been limited.
The criminal elements, though they lack the resources of the State (manpower, equipment, technology, legal authority and money) and public support, have managed to thrive and grow. Though their numbers are said to be limited, their outreach and ability to penetrate, if not infiltrate, public and law enforcement agencies cannot be denied.
Crime did not escalate overnight. Therefore, notwithstanding the public indignation and recrimination, it cannot be solved immediately, nor with one or two emergency measures. There is no quick fix. Missing is a comprehensive, all-of-government approach that is non-partisan and focused on measurable results, sector by sector, institution by institution. The recommendations of the Chief Justice, the DPP, and the various Commissions of Enquiry reports lie unimplemented. Are these being addressed?
Whatever is preventing a comprehensive approach to addressing the weaknesses of the criminal justice system must be identified and corrected. That means ensuring that the entire system of justice must be streamlined or reformed to make it fit for purpose. The social issues must also be addressed. The political one-upmanship displayed by both political parties in dealing with the crime situation threatens to make both political parties irrelevant. Parliamentarians from both sides walk the constituencies and know the community leaders. They are not ignorant of the facts on the ground.
The Prime Minister rightly chose to avoid a state of emergency as an emergency measure. However, the announcement of $100 million to fund the Defence Force to act in communities affected by crime is a knee-jerk response to public pressure. Army personnel are not police and do not have the legal authority to make the interventions announced by the Prime Minister—interventions for which they have neither the capacity nor training. The announcement is an absurdity born of political desperation.
The latest wave of murders coincides with desperate pleas from the Contractors Association, Amcham and other voices in the business community to address a protection racket which is widespread and gang-related. Recruiting more police or army personnel, or buying new equipment will not give even a temporary respite. Nor will a new commissioner, prime minister or government save us. The instruments to deal with crime rests on community action and in the institutions tasked with the responsibilities for prevention, detection and conviction. It is urgent and critical that these institutions be fixed and made fit for purpose.