Election 2020: “SOEs Should Be a Last Resort”

A significant aspect of the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party’s manifestos speaks to how they will manage crime and violence. Both with a focus on the youth, with the JLP intending to implement youth-led multi-dimensional approaches to crime prevention and rolling out special school-based initiatives to reduce violence. On the other hand, the PNP intends on implementing a well-funded youth diversion programme aimed at an immediate social, psychological, and economic intervention for youths that participate in petty crimes.

Political Commentator, Lloyd B. Smith believes that whichever party forms the next government must have a plan as the states of public emergency – SOE’s have been “overused”.

“The states of emergency in my estimation have been one big band-aid that you continue to put on a sore foot,” said Smith, “…so, even though the band-aid hides the sore foot when you peel it off it is still very much there it has not healed. I think the SOE’s have lost their sting.”

Before the General Election was announced, several SOEs were in effect. There was a strong military and police presence in several communities as they carried out their operation to control crime. Smith says that an SOE should be the last resort – and should always be short and effective.

“A state of emergency is not supposed to be a prolonged thing because what it does is encourage the abuse of citizens,” said Smith.

Following the General Election, citizens are looking to see what plans the next government will implement to ensure their safety and security.