CRIME: The Zones Of Special Operations Law: Is It The Best Way To Solve Montego Bay's Crime Problem?

Montego Bay is in the strange position of being poised for greater economic development while standing at the edge of a dark abyss of crime and violence. On one hand tourism arrivals are at record levels, the BPO sector is expanding promising thousands of jobs over the coming years while new businesses continue to open around the city. On the other hand, the orgy of murders continues unabated throughout the tourism capital of the island.

The number of murders since the beginning of the year now exceeds 160 and despite continuing effort and numerous strategies employed by the police the crisis continues. The government has now passed the Zones Of Special Operations Act into law hoping that it will be the master stroke in arresting the carnage perpetrated by criminals and criminal organizations around the island.

The Zones Of Special Operations Law will grant the security forces certain essential powers not normally available to them to combat criminality. Whenever it is utilized it will be limited to a specific geographical location or locations within the island for a specific period of time. The security forces will have the power to cordon off these zones, impose curfews, conduct searches of persons, places and vehicles as well as the authority to seize vehicles, articles and documents and make arrests.

The new law has naturally sparked much debate with many politicians and members of the society voicing concerns about possible human rights violations by the security forces that could occur under this legislation. There is also a concern about the influence of politics in determining the zones of operations. To be fair, the Bill does go to great lengths to address these concerns and outlines numerous measures to prevent abuse. It also provides for a “Social Intervention Committee” that would go even further to formulate a “sustainable development plan” for the designated areas.

The debate is still ongoing and it should be of interest to all Jamaicans who care about the rights and well-being of their brothers and sisters. There is another area of debate, however, that has not been as loud but is equally important and that is whether or not, despite the numerous powers of this law, it will be able to efficiently address the crisis of crime in the country.

A recent article from the Daily Gleaner highlighted a number of points made by Opposition senator Mark Golding.  Some of the issues he raised had to do with the actual challenges faced by the security forces in addressing the nation’s crime problem. They include insufficient diligence by the police in case preparation which causes long delays in the courts, “lack of focus” in intelligence and evidence gathering to ensure convictions, an undermanned police force and low conviction rates in the courts due to delays and inefficiencies.

Mention was also made of the societal and cultural challenges faced by many crime-ridden areas. There are insufficient resources to address the problems of poverty and other social issues which exacerbate criminality. The dysfunctional cultural habits which require change and the social re-conditioning of hearts and minds will require plenty of time - years, perhaps decades.

The very important question, therefore, that needs to be asked is whether or not the new Zones Of Special Operations Law is able to overcome these challenges. If a lot of the problems are systemic within the police force and the court system then having greater powers to search and arrest may not necessarily result in more convictions. Ultimately, it is a high number of convictions that will act as a real deterrent to criminals within the society.

If the Government already does not have sufficient resources to tackle the social, economic and cultural problems of violent, poor underdeveloped communities then the provision in this law for a “Social Intervention Committee” is of little use or comfort.

Making use of this law which will grant the security forces extraordinary power over some of our citizens will be a very serious undertaking and it is something the people of this city should debate thoroughly and not take lightly. While it would appear that there are sufficient measures within the Zones of Special Operations Law to protect individuals from abuse by the security forces we cannot forget that we live in a society where this problem already exists despite the best efforts to prevent it. There are many opposing voices who still feel the new legislation is at great risk of abuse. The ongoing atmosphere of distrust between many communities and the police is a very real issue. Will this law make matters worse or better?

The other important question is, will it actually address the very real systemic problems faced by our police and courts in tackling criminals? If it can't do that then it will be yet another chapter of failure in the war against crime. It would be wise if our local police, community leaders and political representatives communicate to the city exactly how they think the Zones of Special Operations Law will make Montego Bay safer and more peaceful. If their argument is persuasive it will help all of us to get behind them when the time comes to implement it. They will need the support of Montego Bay's citizens in this endeavour. 

SPORTS: Manchester City Must Spend Big To Make Sure Of Strength In Depth

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LIFESTYLE: VJ's Punjabi Dhaba & Sky Bar: A Friday Afterwork Mix Of Indian and Jamaican In Montego Bay

The Friday evening view of the city and the Caribbean

Montego Bay is a City that enjoys a wide variety of culture where Jamaicans mix with a variety of small groups that hail from different parts of the world.  Friday nights at Vijay’s Punjabi Dhaba and Sky Bar located on Queens Drive (Top Road) in Montego Bay, is one of those occasions to enjoy this ethnic diversity in Jamaica’s second city.  Stepping on to this rooftop bar overlooking the city's coastline and the Caribbean Sea you will be greeted by the aroma of Indian cuisine and local Jamaican cooking.

This little hideaway owned and operated by Mobay businessman, Vijay Sadarangani provides a Friday night escape to start the weekend like no other.  You will find a mix of Jamaican, Indian and other foreign expats coming together to enjoy a few drinks, eat some great food from the culturally diverse menu options and enjoy the spectacular evening panorama before them.

On one end of the rooftop patio is the Punjabi Dhaba set up like something straight out of an Indian movie street scene.  It’s a little wooden set-up with a counter behind which the Indian chef is hard at work.  Menu items are scrawled on a board in the kitchen.  Yes, you have walked into a little part of Mumbai or at least it certainly feels like it.

Vijay Sadarangi (second from left) with his chefs

On Friday nights after work there is a special on Kababs that comes with a purchase of a cue of liquor.  The promotion is very popular with patrons.  But for others there is a more than satisfactory variety of Indian items.  There is the Mutton Rogan Josh, the number mutton dish cooked in an onion sauce with natural spices.  Of course there is the Chicken Tikka Masala topped with a sauce made of tomato., onions, ginger and garlic masala.  There is more to choose from and you can only familiarize yourself with a visit to the restaurant.

On the opposite end of the patio is the Sky Bar.  This is the end where you can get some Jamaican Jerk Chicken and other local offerings.  There are also the type of local offerings you really need on a Friday like Appleton Rum and Red Stripe beer.  The Indians tend to go for the whiskey in general.  But that is where the cultural differences stop because most of the people there, apart from the occasional group of tourists, live and work in Montego Bay.

It may be a physical setting with a laidback Bollywood meets “Yaad” vibe but at the end of the day it’s a good old Montego Bay vibe as laughter, liquor and good food helps everyone to wind down and start the weekend in a great mood.  People stand around at the bar while in the more central area

VJ's Punjabi Dhaba - like an Indian street scene but
it's overlooking Mobay and the Caribbean Sea

various groups are dining at tables.  It’s a small but cozy area perfect for relaxed social interaction.

The music is usually a mix of oldies and reggae as opposed to dancehall for this more mature, relaxed audience.  At the right moment you will even here some Indian music coming through the speakers and you may be pleasantly surprised at the Jamaican response.  Indian music afterall is a huge and successful industry.

Friday nights at VJ’s Punjabi Dhaba and Sky Bar are a pleasant escape from the norm.  It’s just the right mix of “something different” with “something familiar”.  The difference is in the cultural mix of food and people while the familiar comes from everyone being one people, one Montego Bay, one Jamaica.  If you haven’t checked out VJs Punjabi Dhaba and Sky Bar, you really should.  Friday evening after work is one time in Montego Bay that you shouldn’t be complaining that there is nothing to do.