Michelle-Ann Letman, Gleaner Writer

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (second left) and wife Lorna attend the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Praise Reunion and Thanksgiving Service at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St. Andrew on Saturday. To Golding's right is Opposition Security Spokesman, Dr. Peter Phillips, while Security Minister Derrick Smith sits beside the Prime Minister's wife. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has urged Jamaicans to be more considerate of the plight of the security forces who battled to rein in the crime monster which made 2007 one of the bloodiest years in recorded history.

While conceding that "sometimes we handle them bad and sometimes they deserve it," Golding hailed them for the hard work they endured, particularly on tough urban streets.

"They are a set of men and women who every day put their lives on the line for our sake and they deserve extra blessings," he told an audience at the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Praise Reunion and Thanksgiving Service on Saturday.

Golding charged the congregation to remember the security forces in their prayers and to support them.

"It is not enough for us to lock our doors at night and say everything is left up to the police. We need to support them," he said.

Political leaders joined Seventh-day Adventists in praying that a wind of change will reverse the growing incidence of crime and violence.

Last year, the nation lost over 1,500 of its citizens to the plague of crime and violence, including 20 policemen.

Dr. Peter Phillips, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, representing the Opposition Leader, said, "There is no doubt that Jamaica faces a challenge of crime and violence, but the solution requires close attention to the message of the Church.

Deeper social issues

"And there is no doubt that if we are to surmount the problems that we face, we need to bring to mind the message of Christ," he continued.

Dr. Phillips pointed to deeper social issues that contribute to the ballooning crime wave, such as the breakdown of families.

Only three out of every 10 Jamaican children live in households with both biological parents, he told the congregation.

Also present were Security Minister Derrick Smith and Senior Superintendent Devon Watkis, from the Area Four Headquarters, who represented Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin.

Pastor Samuel Lewis led a special prayer for the leaders of the country and the security forces.