There is growing concern that the worsening economic climate, which has already resulted in thousands of Jamaicans losing their jobs, could fuel more antisocial behaviour and push the country's crime figures in the wrong direction.

"It will put more pressure on an already vulnerable social fabric, resulting in further crime escalation," said businessman Mark Kerr-Jarrett, chairman of the St James Parish Development Committee.

That is a fear shared by president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Winston Lawson.

"Usually, when you have persons moving out of the formal to the informal sector, it brings some amount of indiscipline and some chaotic posture to the whole economy," Lawson said.

Kerr-Jarrett, like other residents of western Jamaica, has watched the crime figures rise alarmingly in the region, particularly in St James, where 216 persons were killed last year.

Speculations

"The situation has reached the point where it's hard to determine what the problem is," Kerr-Jarrett told The Gleaner.

"There are speculations that the high murder rate is linked to the lottery scam and quite a bit to interpersonal disputes ... it's just frightening," Kerr-Jarrett added.

He wants the Government to implement measures to provide support and options for persons who are losing their jobs.

"One idea is for the Government to work with the National Housing Trust and the Housing Agency of Jamaica (formerly National Housing Development Corporation) to undertake a major housing thrust at the affordable end, especially in St James and Trelawny, as an employment generator to help relieve some of the anxiety and pressure."

He said this would be similar to the tactic employed by the government of the United States following the stock market crash in 1929 and the economic depression which followed.

At that time, increased government spending on items such as road projects was used to boost the economy.