Can society really wash its hands of crime?

THE Jamaica Observer launched a stinging attack on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government in today's editorial, claiming hypocrisy in the departure of Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin.

Cartoon: Jamaica Observer

Especially bruising perhaps is that the newspaper is perceived as favouring the JLP. The writer certainly pulled no punches, saying that the JLP is losing credibility on crime:

For the government, via its dithering with regard to the US extradition request for Mr Christopher Coke, who is wanted in that country to answer charges of arms and drug trafficking, is fast disqualifying itself as a credible source of information in terms of the Jamaican crime situation.

While some have blamed Lewin for failing to combat crime, the reality is that during the two years of this government, Jamaica has seen the back of two commissioners and two security ministers. His job was not an easy one.

And his replacement will likely be just as hapless, since, as the Observer also pointed out, organised crime is ingrained in society. It's long past being just police and thieves.

I once sat waiting to conduct an interview outside a banker's office. Out walked the banker with a 'popular local businessman' AKA, a don. A month later at the birthday party for a prominent politician, that same man rolled up, in a convoy of SUVs.

Or do we face up to the reality that crime, as we know, is here to stay and get worse as long as politicians, civil society and communities continue to maintain that nefarious historical link with criminals that Mr Lewin spoke so cagily about a few weeks ago?