BUILDING PEACE: THROUGH RESPECT & COMMUNITY
A typical mediation Hotel room Heated exchange “Shottas” venting about the past Made to face the future
TODAY A much changed scene, partisan political differences reduced Dancing in the streets in the December 29 th national election
MY AGENDA Jamaica & the origin of its murder epidemic The Peace Management Initiative The Current scene Inner city Youth Mindset
JAMAICA A mix of contradictions Not in our genes Political parties
THE FORMATION OF “GARRISONS” Housing just for one party’s followers Copied by the next party Plus guns
THE DEEPER DIVISION Class and Race, raced class Upward mobility notwithstanding
A FRESH APPROACH The Peace Management Initiative - Civilians - To Reduce Community violence - Dialogue, counseling, development
CORNER CREWS Orientation different from that of Criminal Gang Difference in crimes What they wanted What the PMI offered
DELINQUENTS Not “criminals” Therefore to be treated differently
PMI’s RESULTS Contributed to 15% decline in homicides in first two years Contributed to 42% decline between 2005 & 2009
Homicides across 4 police divisions – Kingston Central, East & West, & St Andrew Central,
Homicides in Dunkirk, part of Franklyn Twn in the Kingston East Police Division
ANOTHER APPROACH The police approach: community policing and mano dura First step on a ladder Anti-gang legislation
A FURTHER PERSPECTIVE Crews and gangs as rooted in COMMUNITIES # A Criminalising process
MAY 2010 Incursion into Tivoli Gardens Scores killed in cold blood
A BLOW TO GARRISONS ANOTHER ASPECT Impunity lost Decline in murders Exercise of authority: birth of Civil Society Coalition
An alternative path Sought by some members of criminal gangs Pointing to the role of circumstances
The PMI today Research One-on-one contact Participant files and follow-up
YOUTH MIND-SET Aggressive, anti-authority machismo But low self-esteem
MIND-SET (cont.) Confused, depressed, pessimistic But longing for & responsive to Respect
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY YOUTH Armed But reachable