Basil Jarrett | Cherry Tree Lane: A turning point?

CHERRY TREE Lane, a little-known community in the hinterlands of Clarendon that, prior to last Sunday, would have slipped under everyone’s radar as a place of influence in Jamaica, land we love. But almost overnight, Cherry Tree Lane has moved up the charts to dominate the collective conscience of this country.

Last Sunday night, a most heinous act of violence was committed against residents of Four Paths in Clarendon who were celebrating a birthday. Before the night was over, eight lives were lost and another nine were hanging in the balance. This act of terror which one newspaper described as a mass murder, was an assault not only on the victims but on the very fabric of our nation.

Let’s not mince words – this was an act of terror. The monsters who perpetrated this heinous crime did so with the intent to sow fear and to assert their dominance through intimidation. We do not know the full story behind the motive for the killings, and to be honest, I’m not even sure it matters. What is most important to my mind, is the deep realisation that there are persons in this country who are completely devoid of basic humanity.

NOT MY JAMAICA

There’s something deeply unsettling about the calculated nature of this attack. The gunmen didn’t just strike once; they drove from one gathering to another, leaving a trail of blood and despair in their wake. It didn’t matter who they killed – man, woman, boy, girl, baby.

This is not the Jamaica we want, but it is the Jamaica we have. And so, when this sort of evil rears its ugly head, we must not hesitate to call it out, condemn it, and most importantly, eradicate it. These criminals are not just enemies of the state; they are enemies of every decent, law-abiding citizen in this country. They are the purveyors of random violence and a blight on our communities, seeking to instil fear and chaos wherever they go.

In the aftermath of this barbaric act, we must stand united, not only in our grief but in our resolve to bring these vermins to justice. The prime minister has referenced this incident as an inflexion point and has called for a joint security operation involving the Jamaica Defence Force, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) which is a necessary and welcome step. But it is not just a job for the security forces; it is a job for all of us.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Every descent, law-abiding citizen of this country must rise up and say, “Enough is enough!” We must reject the culture of silence that allows these criminals to operate with impunity. We must refuse to give them shelter, support, or even a shred of sympathy. They are not our brothers or sisters. They must be brought to justice.

But it’s not just about the men who carried out last Sunday’s murders. It’s also about addressing and rooting out this epidemic of our eroding moral values, lack of principles and a declining sense of right and wrong. And that means, not only addressing the men who give in to the allure of the fast money involved in gang activity, narco-trafficking and money laundering, but also for the women who knowingly support, turn a blind eye and give them refuge, in exchange for a bit of the spoils, a few bottles of expensive champagne and some loose bling on their Rolex encrusted wrists. The blood of those 17 innocent people and countless who have gone before are on your collective hands as passive participants in the moral decay of this country. But alas, this is Jamaica after all, and for some, integrity, principle and doing the right thing seems to have gone out of style many years ago, because, as the young people say nowadays, you’ve got to “Risk it for the biscuit”.

SPEAK OUT QUIETLY

So let’s be clear: the success of this operation depends not just on the bravery and skill of our security forces, but on the support and cooperation of every descent Jamaican whose moral values cannot be bought. We cannot afford to be passive bystanders in the fight against crime because no one knows when the flotsam and jetsam of our dalliance with drug traffickers, money launderers and scammers will wash up on our own doorsteps. We must be active participants, willing to stand up for what is right, and to support those who risk their lives to protect ours.

Jamaica is too small for the planning and execution of such a barbaric act to take place without anyone knowing about it. If you know something, say something. The authorities have provided numerous confidential and anonymous reporting mechanisms for a reason. Your information, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, could be the key to solving this crime and preventing further bloodshed. By speaking out, you are not just helping to bring criminals to justice; you are taking a stand against the culture of silence that allows such violence to thrive.

SPARE A THOUGHT

Finally, let us also remember the victims of this tragedy. Their lives were brutally cut short by senseless violence, and their families are now left to pick up the pieces. We must support them in every way possible, not just with words but with deeds. The memory of their loved ones should not be tainted by the actions of these criminals, but instead, should serve as a rallying cry for all of us to stand up and fight back against the forces of darkness that threaten our nation.

Again, if you have information, no matter how small, that could help in this fight, please contact the authorities. Your courage and your voice can make a significant difference in ridding our country of this scourge and build a safer, stronger Jamaica for all. Call (888) MOCA-TIP.

Major Basil Jarrett is a communications strategist and CEO of Artemis Consulting, a communications consulting firm specialising in crisis communications and reputation management. Visit him at www.thecrisismajor.com. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com