Patterson calls for national crusade against crime, moral decay

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson has called for a national crusade against the tide of criminality and moral decay in the society.

Concerned about the wanton and unbridled acts of criminality that have been unleashed against even the most vulnerable in society, Patterson suggested that significant change can only be realised if critical stakeholders join forces to address the problem.

The statesman wants the National Partnership Council (NPC) to take the lead in a moral revival, as suggested by Howard Mitchell at an awards banquet staged by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica last month.

The NPC comprises representatives and partners from the government, parliamentary opposition and other critical stakeholder groups in the society.

According to Patterson, this approach would ensure genuine bipartisan participation and address what he described as one of the most crucial issues facing the nation.

“We need a national team, comprising the government, opposition, farmers, teachers, security forces, private sector, trades unions, church, and civil society, to come together against the elements threatening our right to life, justice, freedom, self-worth, and respect,” Patterson declared.

In his remarks at the Committee of Umpires Association’s recent annual dinner at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Patterson said the challenges facing Jamaica are manifold.

“Our nation grapples with crime and violence at intolerable levels,” he stated, pointing to the horrific crimes, which increasingly target vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly.

The latest police crime statistics showed that for the period January 1 to December 2, 2023, the country recorded 1,282 murders, a 10.2 per cent reduction year on year.

He also pointed to the disturbing trends of praedial larceny, bank theft, and workplace pilferage, alongside the spread of violence into schools, homes, and even the roads.

Citing Chief Justice Bryan Sykes' assertion that harsher sentences alone are not the solution, the former head of government advocated for innovative and multifaceted approaches, akin to the diverse tactics used in cricket, such as googlies and Yorkers. He emphasised the need for a return to the spirit of the game, a metaphor for rekindling the values and ethics that should guide the nation.

Patterson also commented on Prime Minister Andrew Holness' announcement of a study for a ministry dedicated to family and community affairs, and also recalled the opposition's proposal for a ministry of social transformation at their 2018 annual conference.

He argued that the effectiveness of such initiatives does not hinge on their names but on a holistic approach involving leadership quality, professional staff, and the participation of every governmental ministry, department, sector, and community.

Drawing on an analogy between the rules of cricket and the laws and norms essential to the nation's well-being, Patterson said: “Like cricket, which is bound by rules and standards, every nation must uphold laws and norms."

He stressed the importance of absolute values such as integrity, truth, peace, and liberty of the mind, in a time when society seems to be veering towards materialism and moral erosion. “Respect for self, caring for our neighbour, discipline, civility, and just plain decency have been overshadowed by greed, materialism, and a worrying moral decline,” he lamented.

The former prime minister painted a vivid picture of the nation's struggles over the last two decades.

“There has been a constant lament that our National Consultation on Values and Attitudes hasn't fully achieved its targets," Patterson noted, highlighting the shared sentiment across various platforms, from political discussions to social media debates. He emphasised that restoring Jamaica's moral fabric is critical not just in select areas, but across every sector, city, town, parish, district, and household.

Patterson’s call for a national crusade against crime and moral decay seemingly struck a chord with his audience.

His message was clear: “Jamaica cannot afford to lose another day to criminals and wrongdoers. It's time for a united front to confront and vanquish these challenges, ensuring a future where every Jamaican can live “triumphant, proud, and free”.

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