WESTERN BUREAU:
Despite a record 33 murders in Hanover in 2008, some major stakeholders are optimistic that crime-fighting measures could decrease homicides in what was once regarded as Jamaica's safest parish.
Mayor of Lucea, Lloyd Hill, said it was not too late to arrest the situation. He said civic groups would have to be proactive in helping the police deal with the problem.
"This murder rate is cause for concern - perhaps more than just concern. It has reached the stage where some people are living in great fear. Some of it involves people from outside coming in the area, but it is a matter of citizens taking responsibility for their communities and seeking to let people realise everyone is at risk, and also to sort out their differences in a peaceful way," Hill said.
"Sometimes the Church has a role to play as well as the community-based organisations - not just the police. We will all have to be proactive, and, before crimes get out of control, meet and devise measures to try and protect those areas not out of control, while seeking to arrest the situation in out-of-control areas," Hill added.
The northern parish of Hanover in the recent past held the distinction of being the island's safest. However, in 2007 there were 23 murders in the parish and 19 in 2006. Twenty-four murders were committed in the parish in 2005, the first year in the parish's history in which the murder figure passed 20. Fourteen murders were committed in the parish in 2004, 16 in 2003, five in 2002, 15 in 2001 and nine in 2000.
Migrant criminals
President of the Axe-and-Adze Citizens' Association, Pastor Rupert Shippey, told The Gleaner that his community had been taking steps to prevent criminals from infiltrating the rural community. He said this had reaped success as several migrant criminals had been apprehended.
"We are very much troubled about the crime rate, and we are trying to unite to combat it. Community members are encouraged to exchange phone numbers, so if there is a problem they can make contact easily. As a community, we are also trying to unite ourselves; make peace among each other," he said.
"We have also invited the police in. The Ramble police are present at almost every community meeting, and have been very cooperative. We are also taking steps to set up a neighbourhood watch in the community," Shippey added.
President of the Hanover Parish Development Committee, Angela Haye, said social intervention would be necessary to reach out to frustrated, unemployed young men in the parish, especially because of prevailing economic circumstances.
"It is now in our backyard, and we have to be proactive. It is not such a huge problem where it can't be resolved, or the interventions can't be put in place and be effective at this level. We will have to partner with the schools and other social agencies to ensure we get these young men back on track," she said.
"We need to change the mindset. We also have to help them to find jobs and if we can't help them to find jobs, we need to help to tap into their full potential with whatever skills and qualifications they possess," she said.