Editorial | Cuff them, says JCF

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF’s) recently announced ‘40 in 40 days’ initiative seems to be sending a signal that social media and its various platforms could become a vital part of the country’s crime-fighting infrastructure.

All aspects of modern society have been dramatically affected by social media technology. In particular, it has changed the way people communicate and share information. And, yes, the JCF is well advised to adapt to these changes by adding social media as one of the tools in its arsenal to aid in investigation and intelligence gathering.

To coincide with the 40 days of the Lenten season, the JCF is appealing to communities to give up wanted criminals. “It’s cuffing season, literally,” says their video as it made its appeal. “Help us to cuff 40 wanted men for the 40 days of Lent.” The video, enhanced by sultry images and music, is indeed eye-catching, and people are taking notice.

It hardly needs to be stated here that crime, gun violence in particular, is the most pressing problem the nation faces. It is also well documented that some communities give succour to and provide safe haven for criminals, in exchange for largesse garnered from their illegal activities.

Added to this, there is a deep mistrust of the police. We believe the fear of being exposed to criminals is preventing more law-abiding people from saying what they really know. They take the “informa fe dead” exhortation seriously.

CAREFUL APPROACH

Thus, the national security challenge calls for a careful, comprehensive and thoughtful approach. How can an informant be assured that his identity will not be revealed? Who guarantees that information shared will be discreetly handled? This is the point where the problem becomes knotty. The truth is that many respondents would rather remain anonymous and, without that guarantee, they will “see no evil”.

The aim of the police must therefore be to efficiently and effectively use all available resources to build trust, so as to advance safety and empower communities as important national security partners in achieving peace, safety and justice throughout the nation.

Exposure to violence has a deep impact on community members, including children and the elderly. We hear daily stories of pain, hurt and trauma – in some of the hardest-hit areas, people exist in a nightmarish environment. But, if initiatives like these are successful in removing dangerous criminals from the community, then they are worth pursuing in order to save others from impending anguish and grief.

Of course, we note that the JCF has been using social media as a public relations aid to engage with the public by sharing crime tips, gathering intelligence, and posting photos of persons of interest. Several cases have been brought before the courts after criminal activities were posted on social media and the police were able to track down suspects.

Success in campaigns such as ‘40 in 40 days’ will hopefully result in growth and the strengthening of community-driven solutions, and could eventually become a robust pattern of increased sophistication of the JCF, as it seeks to improve the public safety-crime-fighting infrastructure.

Research and evaluation are critical in determining what works well and what else can be done to achieve the stated objectives. Importantly, the public needs to be made aware of the progress achieved through these initiatives, in order to get them fully on board.

It is fairly well understood that crime and violence is a multi-faceted problem which no one group can solve. It will take the Government, Opposition, private sector, police and the community to vigorously pursue a shared dream of reducing violence.