The Government is getting support for the Zones of Special Operations Bill currently before the House of Representatives.
The bill has sparked criticism from the Parliamentary Opposition and some human rights groups.
But Gleaner Columnist, Martin Henry, is arguing that action is needed immediately to stem the worsening crime problem.
“We can talk about social intervention all we want - and let’s be clear , but unless you bring the matter under immediate control, nothing can be done by way of intervention.”
Henry says though he supports the Bill, there are gaps which need revision.
He adds that there are gaping problems in the Jamaica Constabulary Force that first need to be addressed.
He is also calling for all Government Ministries to donate a percentage of their budget to tackle crime
“Public safety is now a national public emergency and those resources need to be found and can be found. Crime affects every area of national life and every citizen. The place the money is to be found is to take small slices of all portfolio budgets ……”
Meanwhile, Attorney at law Clive Munroe Jr. who is in support of the Prime Minister's "Clear. Hold, Build" strategy says Jamaica has never been short of good ideas to tackle crime, but implementation is always problematic.
“Most of the time we have had these ideas …. (But) implementation has not been what it should have been so good ideas have died but they could have worked with better implementation, better resources,” said Munroe, who was a guest on That’s a Rap .
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