The crime wave that has finally alarmed our governor and a few other politicians is something that many of us saw coming — the wanton, lawless behavior of so many of our residents who do not respect private property, laws and regulations or even traffic signals.
There are people who set up business on the property of others, even obstructing the entrances to businesses. Examples are the entrance to the supermarkets and Kmart. Do these merchants have a license? Do they have permission to be where they set up shop? Who is responsible for regulating these merchants?
There are residents who litter their neighborhoods, the roads and other public places. There are politicians who fail to comply with election laws, public servants who refuse to earn their wages, and others who embezzle public funds and other public property.
These are adults committing these offenses — and then we act surprised when our youths follow their examples of delinquent behavior! Why are we fooling ourselves? The best teaching method is by example. Are we adults giving the right examples?
The strategy announced by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull recently does not address the root causes of the crime wave. It does not address the problem of low morale among the members of the police organization, the lack of motivation.
The governor's political strategy disguised as law-enforcement strategy will not succeed until the climate of lawlessness is changed. A possible remedy to the malaise that afflicts our society is to identify the causes and address them scientifically. Many of us know the causes and have our own ideas of how we might correct the problem.
Is there the collective will within the populace to do what is required to correct what is wrong in our society? Good leadership is a scarce commodity in our society — and consequently in our government, which reflects the society.
Individuals offer to represent us — and we elect some for the strangest reasons, and then wonder why their representation is not satisfactory to us. If we would only search out our own candidates and sponsor their candidacy to ensure their election, we would be better off.
Rather than engage in the popular pastime of griping about our situation or that of the community, we can use that energy to seek out solutions. That would be the smarter thing to do, rather than feeling sorry for ourselves and waiting for others to solve our problems.
Take control of your life and your community. Obey the laws — and change those you think needs changing through your representatives in the Legislature.
We as a society have become derelict and undisciplined and have let down our youths. We need a moral rearmament to redeem ourselves. We have been too tolerant, ignoring all kinds of immorality and criminal activities in our community. And then we wonder why we have reached the level of criminality that we are experiencing: Illegal gambling, prostitution, the proliferation of bars, the use of illegal drugs — all within public view — are ignored. Also ignored are the lack of respect for private property and law-enforcement officers' selective enforcement of the law.
Inadequate support of our law-enforcement agencies by politicians and some sectors of the public results in deficient enforcement. Do we really want a law-abiding, orderly society? It starts with each member of the society doing his or her duty at home, in the community and in the nation. An orderly, law-abiding society is a civilized society. A clean and hygienic society is a civilized society. Does our society meet the standard: Are we civilized?
Are you ready to take control, assume the responsibilities and exercise the rights that are granted to us by the U.S. Constitution and our Organic Act?
We need not wait on others. We can take the lead for a change. The COP [community-oriented policing] program referred to by Chief of Police Jose Garcia in the recent press release from Government House, is based on good community relations.
In order for our police to improve their image and receive the respect and cooperation of the general public, they must be polite and respectful first to themselves and then to others. Maybe the police chief needs to implement a good public relations program that would include good manners and sensitivity to the different ethnic groups that live or visit among us.
Lack of proper supervision allows new, young police officers who lack discipline to go astray. Because of the absence of supervision, there is no coordination in the police patrol and poor deployment of personnel. The community suffers the consequences of this lack of proper coverage by the available police officers.
I see the chief of police as being like an orchestral conductor who knows when to increase the tempo and when to reduce it, when to bring in certain sections of the orchestra all synchronized. That concept has failed to materialize within the Police Department.
The chief of police and the deputy chief both work the same shift out of the same office, the usual 8-to-5 syndrome. That lack of proper leadership contributes greatly to the low morale among the rank and file. The governor needs to address that situation if he expects any improvement in the performance of the police organization.
We are doomed if all official acts of the governor are based on political expediency rather than on convictions and principles. True statesmanship involves personal integrity, convictions and courage to defend those convictions.
Editor's note: J.J. Estemac is a former St. Thomas police officer.
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