Reducing Violent Crimes Key Goal of National Security Policy

Reducing violent crimes, including dismantling organized criminal networks, is one of the key strategies for achieving security and prosperity, which is highlighted in the National Security Policy (NSP) for Jamaica.
The policy, which was unveiled to residents of Kingston at the Walk Di Talk Community action meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 16) at the Jamaica Conference Centre, has broader goals than traditional crime fighting strategies.
In addition to reducing violent crimes, the policy’s eight-point strategy entails: strengthening the criminal justice system; protecting Jamaica from terrorism; protecting and controlling Jamaica’s territory; strengthening the integrity of democratic institutions; increasing Jamaica’s contribution to regional and international security; providing the environment for a stable economy and delivery of social services; and protecting natural resources and reducing the risk of natural disasters.
According to Executive Director of the National Security Strategy Implementation Unit (NSSIU) in the Office of the Cabinet, Lt. Colonel Oral Khan, the NSP is aimed at “destroying the roots and shoots of all threats to national security”.
He informed that special initiatives have been launched to complement the policy, one of which is organizing the intelligence network. Out of this key initiative, he explained, a national intelligence system will be established, which will “help us to detect the kinds of trends, events and happenings that could hurt Jamaica in any way.”
Another initiative is to undertake reviews of the key entities in the security system. Reviews of the Correctional Services Department, Justice System and Jamaica Defence Force have already been completed, with the appraisal of the Jamaica Constabulary Force now underway.
The Walk Di Talk series is a joint effort of the NSSIU in association with the Multi-Sector Communications Committee, which is comprised of key government ministries and agencies; non government groups; the private sector; the church; and the United Nations Development Programme.
Communications Specialist at the NSSIU, Gillian Scott, explained that hundreds of persons have attended meetings held in St. Mary, St. James, Clarendon, and St. Elizabeth. The session in St. James incorporated participants from Westmoreland, Trelawny and Hanover; while the St. Elizabeth meeting included residents of Manchester.
She said that the aim of the NSSIU is to inform the citizens of Jamaica about the policy. Another objective is to identify how best to reach and involve communities in developing a National Strategic Communications Programme on the policy’s central message, which is: ‘National security is everybody’s business.’
Speaking with JIS News, President of the Greater Allman Town Benevolent Society, Tamara Reynolds, said “I think it is an excellent approach and it is good that the (government) has invited us to share in what is being done.”
Meanwhile, Community Relations Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Joan Reid, echoed the same sentiments and pointed to the need for more inner city residents to participate in bringing the policy into focus.
The Walk Di Talk series continues today in St. Andrew at the Terra Nova Hotel. Other sessions will be in Spanish Town on Tuesday (Oct. 23); St. Thomas on Thursday (Oct. 25) and in Portmore on Sunday (Oct. 28).