On Saturday morning, over 400 community leaders from throughout the country gathered at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts for the national neighborhood watch summit. Organizers hoped to harness that wellspring of community mindedness to develop a national working plan for neighborhood watches all across the country. With such disparate representation, it was an ambitious undertaking, but they all had one concern: what the scholars call, "the rise of barbarism", or what we know as lawlessness and disorder. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Hon. Rodwell Ferguson conceded that crime statistics are alarming.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of State
“So far this year 43 murders have been reported as compared to 27 for the same period last year. For reported incidents of rape there have been 37 to date as compared to 28 during the same period last year. Robbery has recorded 208 against 196 during the same period last year. When we view other statistics it might become evident that all stakeholders of our neighbors must just join hands to ensure our safety. The 9/11 terrorist attack in the U.S., the Madrid bombings, and the robbery of the nice little old lady from across the street has highlighted in a glaring way that people need to return to the old fashion of good neighborliness of caring and looking after each other.”
Errol Gentle, Summit Coordinator
“We have heard through different media about the increase in crime in our society but what we have not heard are the many success stories of neighborhoods working along with police to solve crimes in the society; neighbors working together to keep their community safe.”
A neighborhood task force was established to ensure that the effort is sustained.