Dear Editor,
We seldom like to make commendations where and when they are most appropriate. It is so much easier for us to ?tear others down with our words and actions, but I am heartened by an article that appeared in the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 in which the Minister of National Security Robert Montague announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with private security firms.
I think this is a move in the right direction and a complete shift from anything ever tried before. It is obvious that the police need help from the citizenry and by extension corporate Jamaica. We all have to come together to fight this horrible issue of crime.
Twenty years ago security firms were only being hired by companies to protect parking lots, warehouses and their businesses, but as time passed and the crime rate spiralled, many regular people have had to engage security personnel as well. I personally have KingAlarm at my home — a service for which I pay but never really use. I am a strong believer in being safer than sorry, and based on Montague’s approach I think he wants to tread on the side of caution too.
This MOU follows one with the churches recently, another commendable move. It is obvious to me that if something, notably our same old system of policing, has not worked for many years, we have to find creative ways to tackle crime. Let us try this out and see if the outcome will be different.
I am in full support. Hats off to the minister on taking this unconventional route.
Sasha-Gaye Chambers
csashagaye@gmail.com
We seldom like to make commendations where and when they are most appropriate. It is so much easier for us to ?tear others down with our words and actions, but I am heartened by an article that appeared in the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 in which the Minister of National Security Robert Montague announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with private security firms.
I think this is a move in the right direction and a complete shift from anything ever tried before. It is obvious that the police need help from the citizenry and by extension corporate Jamaica. We all have to come together to fight this horrible issue of crime.
Twenty years ago security firms were only being hired by companies to protect parking lots, warehouses and their businesses, but as time passed and the crime rate spiralled, many regular people have had to engage security personnel as well. I personally have KingAlarm at my home — a service for which I pay but never really use. I am a strong believer in being safer than sorry, and based on Montague’s approach I think he wants to tread on the side of caution too.
This MOU follows one with the churches recently, another commendable move. It is obvious to me that if something, notably our same old system of policing, has not worked for many years, we have to find creative ways to tackle crime. Let us try this out and see if the outcome will be different.
I am in full support. Hats off to the minister on taking this unconventional route.
Sasha-Gaye Chambers
csashagaye@gmail.com