Can Jamaica's crime monster be tamed? - Mark Shields to address issue at CIN Lecture Series
Published:Monday | July 30, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Mark Shields, former deputy commissioner of police in Jamaica and former detective chief superintendent of Scotland Yard, will present at the 14th Annual CIN Lecture Series on the topic 'Jamaica's crime monster ... can it be tamed?' on Wednesday, October 24. The lecture will be held at its resident location in New York, United States, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and will commence at 7 p.m.
Crime continues to plague the Jamaican society, as statistics obtained from The Gleaner show that in 2017, Jamaica recorded one of the highest crime rates in the world, with more than 1,600 murders for a homicide rate of approximately 60 per 100,000 population, the Caribbean International Network (CIN) said in a press release.
10-POINT PLAN
Without the necessary strategy the crime cycle continues, resulting in negative social and economic effects. Undoubtedly, crime is a monster that needs to be tamed.
"With his experience, Shields has earned his right to lead this discussion on crime and also to make possible suggestions for taming the monster," the release stated.
In February, Mark Shields suggested a 10-point plan to the next commissioner of police of Jamaica.
Point eight states that DNA samples of criminals should be taken so as to easily identify an offender. It reads: "... Take every opportunity to link criminals to their crimes by using DNA evidence. Make the results of this work public so that criminals see that they can no longer hide."
The press release continued, "Jamaica's crime monster must be tamed and the CIN Lecture Series, which is a vehicle for discourse, continues to highlight serious issues with the intent of yielding success.
"Each year, 600 persons attend the CIN Lecture, so come out and be a part of an audience that will witness Mark Shields give an honest assessment of the Government's plans to solve crime in Jamaica. He will give you a scintillating presentation, highlighting whether the Government's action plan is good, bad or rubbish."