Building a Better Jamaica

Jamaica Information Service
Monday, June 02, 2008

PRIME Minister Bruce Golding said yesterday that intelligence reports from the security forces on the current crime wave show similarities, which raise questions about the source of some killings.

The prime minister said that in identifying the areas where the upsurge is most pronounced, the intelligence reports showed that these areas have 'something in common'.

"We need to investigate some more to find out if it is just a common manifestation, or whether it is a common design," Golding told Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters attending the monthly meeting of its Area Council One, at the Pembroke Hall community centre in St Andrew, yesterday.

But the prime minister said, however, that whatever was behind it would have to be addressed effectively and forcefully and ensure that those responsible are punished.

"Whether it is by common design, or whether it is just a similar occurrence, we can't offer that as any excuse. Whether there is any motivation? Whether there is any mastermind behind it? Whether there is any motive that has to do with the democratic process of this country. We can't cause that to allow us to treat it in any different way.

"Crime is crime. Bloodshed is bloodshed. Murder is murder. And we are going to have to deal with it effectively, forcefully, without flinching. We not begging no gunman no pardon. We not asking them no excuse. Those who believe that they are going to be able to terrorise an entire country and put an entire nation in flight, must understand that there is a process, there is a penalty, there is a punishment, and we are going to make sure that they face that process and deal with that punishment," he said..

However, the prime minister stated that he did not wish to politicise the crime issue as it was one that affects all Jamaicans.