'We must be partners in fighting crime', says Charles Jr.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of state in the Ministry of National Security, says the 12,000 men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are not enough to handle the high level of crime and violence that is currently plaguing the nation.

According to Charles, who was addressing stakeholders at the Hampton School's safety and security staff sensitisation workshop in St Elizabeth last week, the solution to the crime problem lies in the cooperation of the entire population.

"The nation having 2.7 million persons involved and all dedicated towards the same objective of creating a safer Jamaica, it is the only way for us to solve crime and violence in Jamaica," Charles said.

MORE ENGAGEMENT

"We have to start engaging more. We have to communicate it more to you, and that is why I, along with the senior minister, Robert Montague, are going all over, every crevice and corner, in Jamaica to speak directly to the people," he added.

The senator also noted that the JCF's Safety and Security branch will be working assiduously to engage entities, particularly schools, to become part of the solution. He said that now more than ever, teachers have the important job to shape the nation's children under their care.

"When we talk about safety and security, if we are looking at building a Jamaica that respects itself and acknowledges its role as part of the apparatus that is going to tear down crime and violence, then it must start with you (teachers) speaking with your students about their responsibilities to themselves, classmates, school, their home and country," Charles Jr said.