RESIDENTS from several communities across the Corporate Area, particularly those in volatile areas, are worried that the Government's latest anti-crime measures will trample on their civil liberties.

The new measures, which include among other things, additional powers for police to deal with criminals, an extension in detention periods for suspects involved in major crimes and the Introduction of more stringent conditions for bail, could come into effect before the end of the month. In fact, two weeks ago Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that he was hoping that recently tabled legislation to tackle the crime problem would be enacted by mid-September.

Residents of Davis Mountain in St Thomas are in a s****re mood following the shooting deaths of 76-year-old Kelita Lee and Ann Marie McIndoe, 37, by gunmen in the area last week Thursday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

But an informal poll conducted by the Sunday Observer among scores of residents in Arnett Gardens, Maxfield Park, Cassia Park, Payne Avenue, Denham Town, Tivoli Gardens and Riverton City found that most residents were fearful that the police would abuse these additional powers. They also wanted government to clarify a number of points in the proposed plan.

"We are bracing ourselves. The latest announcement has left many of us asking a lot of questions," Olzia Howard, a resident from the Arnett Gardens community told the Sunday Observer last Thursday. Six other persons from the community shared her views.

"So many questions, such as how will this new move work out? Will it address the crime problem the country is facing, or will it leave many poor, unemployed and innocent young men and women feeling the negative effects of the law?" Howard and a group of her friends demanded to know.

"After hearing some of the details of the proposal I am a bit sceptical. When I first heard about the crime initiatives I said, yes. But on a closer look on some of the finer details I am a bit concerned," said Caseta Angus, who is also from the St Andrew South community.

"There are areas of the initiative that need to be addressed. Parts of the plan such as the length of time persons will be detained is one of the issues we inner-city residents are concerned about," Sandra Case from the Maxfield Park community told the Sunday Observer.

Earlier this year the prime minister said that as part of the proposal, the period for which a person can be detained on reasonable suspicion, and in the interest of public safety and public order and for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime, before being taken before a resident magistrate would be extended from 24 to 72 hours.

Golding had also said that the detention would have to be authorised by a police officer at the rank of assistant commissioner, and would only be done within an area that is the subject of a cordon or curfew order, or if a person suspected of being involved in criminal activity is in that particular area.

Golding also explained that the Bail Act would be amended to ensure those charged with certain crimes are denied bail for a 60-day period. "A person charged with a serious crime shall not, for a period of 60 days, be granted bail if that person is charged for murder, treason, serious firearm offences, arson of a dwelling house or extortion," Golding had said in earlier weeks.

But Carla Malcolm, a resident from Maxfield Avenue, told the Sunday Observer last week that there is no way she could support the government's crime initiative as she feels it will target only those persons living in poor, violent communities.

"I do not support the move," Malcolm said. "The Government has argued that people may have to suffer a bit in terms of giving up some of their rights for the plan to be successful, but I feel that with where our justice system is at right now, it will be people mostly in the inner- city communities who will be feeling the negative side effects of the plan," Malcolm said.

Residents in the Cassia Park community also expressed mixed views on the crime plan.

"Boss, the crime get out of hand. We want the people to live good, but if it requires that I have to face a little manhandling for this to happen, let it happen," said one taxi driver who identified himself only as Sam.

"Some persons have been talking about the news and we believe that while a plan is seriously needed to stem crime, issues such as how the police will deal with people will have to be addressed," said Dale Morrison, another man from the area.

Golding, in outlining the proposals for the crime-fighting measures, had declared that the Government would be taking a zero-tolerance approach to addressing the crime problem, but has been criticised by groups such as the Council for Human Rights.

Since the start of the year, police statistics show that close to 1,000 murders have been committed across the island.
"We are waiting with some amount of tension; it is a serious situation. So many issues.crime needs to go down, but is this the approach?" asked Margaret Samuels, from Delacree Lane in Payne Avenue.

George Baugh, who lives in Denham Town, feels that more needs to be done. "Crime has escalated to an alarming level but, my brother, we believe that if you are going to approach the thing you have to look at other issues such as unemployment and corruption in the police force. Until these things are addressed, I believe that it is poor people, the innocent ones who will feel the side effects of the plan."

A number of other young men supported Baugh, whom they regard as an elder in the community.

"The police dem already do not know how to deal with people and you are going to give them more power? That don't spell sense," said one young man from the Denham Town community, who identified himself as Ricky.

In Tivoli Gardens, in the West Kingston police Division, residents were adopting a wait-and-see attitude. "We want to see how the plans start out before we comment," said a group of women and men who did not wish to be named.

In Riverton City residents did not hold back their criticisms. "Right now the man dem just a try get rid a youth. Dem say everyone going have to give away a little of their rights for this plan to work, but I bet you anything that we not going hear of any cases in uptown communities where they go in and kick off the people dem door or hara** residents," said Dave Smith. Residents Roy Garvey and four other persons from the Riverton City community also expressed similar views.

In the meantime, the residents nervously await the implementation of the new measures, even as they called for clarification on some points in the plan.