Crime fighting, as we have repeatedly stated in these columns, is not the purview of any one individual - not a commissioner of police, military chief, security minister or prime minister. But the country expects to see in its government and appointed minister, a strong sense of leadership and direction. So far, the country is getting neither in matters to do with national security.

For years, there has been a steady erosion in the sense of personal safety and national security. The private security industry has become one of the major growth sectors of the economy even as indiscipline and corruption within the Jamaica Constabulary Force spread and marauding gunmen continue to act with impunity.

The incumbent Minister of National Security, Mr. Derrick Smith, has had more than ample time in Opposition to peruse the studies that have been done, to examine all the sociological factors and intelligence reports and to hit the ground running. So far, the public has been left with the image of a minister yawning and stretching, having just awakened from a deep sleep. It is time, not only to wake up and smell, but to drink the coffee.

Mr. Bruce Golding in Opposition appointed and commissioned a task force headed by Colonel Trevor MacMillan to examine and make recommendations on ways to tackle crime. We have yet to hear anything further of the report and the recommendations since the new administration assumed office. Has it been shelved because it had shortcomings, and if so, what are th being proposed? The country cannot afford to allow this sense of drift to continue.

It is axiomatic that nature abhors a vacuum, and the absence of strong leadership is contributing to the further deterioration in law and order. The flare-ups in gang violence, controversial police killings and other seemingly random acts of crime suggest that the prospect of anarchy is more real than imagined. Indeed, there may well be an element of the anarchists already at play. For there are persons who have a vested interest in keeping the society unsettled, effectively distracting the attention of crime fighters from focusing on their activities.Criminality may not be draped in partisan colours, but the incumbent government must have a special interest in seeing to its containment. We would think they have an interest in doing this for their political survival, but more important, for the good of the country's citizenry.

And yet, the call for strong and effective leadership should not be mistaken as allowing any leeway for the abuse of the rights of citizens. It is especially important that the security forces act within the purview of the law. There is no place for extra-judicial killings; no place for shooting first and asking questions later. The Jamaican soil has been well soaked with the blood of persons so cut down in the name of crime fighting and the damage to our collective psyche is yet to be fully assessed.

Even with the transition in the changeover in the leadership of the police and army, the Government needs to offer some urgent coordinated leadership at this time. We have no time to wait.