Montague declares 2017 ‘good people’ year
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Security minister Robert Montague says 2016 was a challenging year for Jamaica and the Jamaica Constabulary Force in the area of crime, but this year will be the “good people” year.
Montague, during his address at this morning’s prayer breakfast themed ‘A New Beginning’, said this will be the year for Jamaicans to “draw a line in the sand to say: enough is enough!”
Montague said the event, which was held at the Ministry of National Security’s Oxford Road offices, was organised to thank God for his blessings over the previous year and to seek guidance in the new year.
He expressed that despite the successes of a “challenging, but glorious” 2016, crime – especially murders – was at unacceptable levels. “But this will be a year of jubilee, when the ‘dutty criminals’ will have to run and hide,” he said.
The minister said he was heartened by the fact that Jamaicans are partnering with the security forces to wage war against criminals.
“This is not a sprint…we are not going to win this war overnight. The truth is that there is no silver bullet or switch that we can turn on and off. Crime did not get to this point over night, but as a united and dedicated people we can overcome – and we will!”
“This ministry is the most critical one for the growth of the nation. Without safety, there can be no tourism and no growth and prosperity. There will be times when we have setbacks, but we must not be daunted. We must be resolute and uncompromising in our efforts to reduce crime, create a safer and more prosperous Jamaica,” Montague told the audience.
He reiterated that the strategy for a safer Jamaica is built on five critical pillars: Effective policing; crime prevention through social development; swift and sure justice processes; situational prevention and reducing reoffending.
Montague challenged all employees of his ministry to see their role as crime fighters, whether they clean the office, deliver mail or process invoices.
According to him, “the fight against crime today is not what it was like years ago. The environment is more who have more sophisticated resources and the best technology. They can hire the most highly skilled legal counsel to represent them. But they are no match for the highly skilled members of the ministry team, because we are strong on the front line and strong behind the scenes.”
“We cannot be afraid to attempt new things. We cannot allow the fear of criticism and even ridicule to stifle our search for new and creative solutions to the age-old problem of crime,” Montague said.
He said the theme ‘New Beginnings’ is a call to resist complacency, while settling for what we are used to doing and embrace change. “I appeal to every member of this ministry to become an innovation centre by looking at the work you now do with fresh and creative eyes”, he said.