Jamaica – 1 Nov 2005 - Post riot

Gangsters rule

I saw a news report about the riots last on TV. These riots were pretty typical. Garbage and debris placed to block roads, fires and the occasional gunfire. A woman was shot and killed and a policeman was wounded. The first thing that happens whenever there is a riot is that the local people claim police brutality. It is very interesting to hear the claims on the news. They are always presented by the media as and interview and in the own words of the person. Some of the claims are pretty hard for a Canadian to believe. It usually goes with the person claiming the person was just minding their own business, walking down the road, and the police came up and shot them. Of course, if you listen carefully, the claim never makes any sense. The person makes it sound like the area was nice and peaceful, birds chirping, the police drive up and shoot. The reporter never asks probing questions and the subject is invariably of low education and would not be able to talk around the inconsistencies in their story. Usually the interviewee destroys any credibility they have immediately after with some sort of statement about what a “nice guy” the killed criminal was. For example, the police think the guy killed yesterday was responsible for 100 murders over the last two years. This is about 5% of all the murders in Jamaica over one year. I spoke to one of my Jamaican colleagues about this. His attitude, which I think reflects the attitude of most educated Jamaicans, was that these people are lying. It would be easy for anyone with an ounce of logic to poke holes in these claims.

However, it is known that police are not well paid in Jamaica and easily bought. In addition, the policeman who was shot yesterday was not on duty, but was standing outside his home. I did not catch what the guy said, but it seems he is considering taking action, like suing the police. Doesn’t seem a good career move. Part of the problem is the police public affairs guys. The police never comment on anything, while the local people make all sorts of wild claims. As news reporters have nothing to counter the “man on the street”, that is what gets airtime.

I think someone could make a lot of money as a public affairs consultant to the Jamaican police.

Note: We usually go through the Spanish Town bypass, seen burning in the article, on our way back from the north coast.