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Crime and Violence Committee recommendations
THE National Committee on Crime and Violence has made a total of 16 recommendations it hopes will not only significantly reduce the high levels of crime rocking the nation, but would also lead to better governance on the part of the political representatives.A synopsis of each recommendation is given below: Political leadership in the country must recommit to a set of values and a code of conduct consistent with the vision of a safe, peaceful and prosperous Jamaica.Inculcate proper values and attitudes in the youth of Jamaica.Strengthen parenting skills.Empower communities to effectively participate in the judicial process.Leverage positive school/ community relationship to address the problem of crime and violence.Empower communities to plan their best possible future and to solve their problems.Re-establish/strengthen legitimate leadership within communities and break the cycle of political patronage.Bring the private sector into active partnership with communities.Network communities to combine strengths and avert split into two societies.Give troubled communities an opportunity for a fresh start.Bring in the guns.Stop the flow of guns into the country.Improve police effectiveness and community/police relationship.Utilise reformed gang leaders in the fight against crime and violence.Develop special legislation to address acts of terrorism.Introduce affirmative action in employment.Increase levels of employment in poor communities.Rehabilitate infrastructure and housing in marginal communities.Eliminate political tribalism.Develop job descriptions for parliamentarians.Eliminate persons with questionable backgrounds and connections from representational politics.Until "suitable Constitutional change is enacted", the appointment of members to the Police Services Commission be made on the agreement of the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition. Where such an agreement is not reached within a stated period, the Governor-General will make the final decision.Adopt bi-partisan approach to addressing crime and violence.The committee was chaired by K.D. Knight, former National Security and Justice Minister and included Derrick Smith and Delroy Chuck of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP); Maxine Henry-Wilson of the People's National Party (PNP); former Police Commissioner, Colonel Trevor Macmillan, representing the PSOJ; Dr. Henley Morgan, representing the NGO community; and Rev. Rennard White, representing the church.
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