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National Security Minister Dwight Nelson. - File
National Security Minister Dwight Nelson says the Jamaican Government will enter into a cooperative agreement with the Organisation of American States (OAS) for the provision of specific instruments that are able to mark weapons owned privately, as well as those in the security forces.
Nelson said Monday the Cabinet approved the agreement, which will allow the authorities to trace weapons using a Dot Peen machine, which will put marks - which cannot be easily erased if they fall into criminal hands - on the firearms.
The national security minister said the Ministry of National Security had embarked on a small-arms policy and had engaged the services of an international consultant to develop the policy for the Government to address how it deals with small arms in the possession of Jamaican citizens.
He said that part of the policy is to ensure that all arms are properly marked, and are marked in such a way that they are traceable.
Nelson said the agreement with the OAS would lead to increased national security in the Caribbean.
Cabinet has considered and has given approval for the tabling of a bill entitled the Criminal Justice Suppression of Criminal Gangs and Organised Criminal Groups Act of 2011. This was tabled in the Houses of Parliament recently.
Nelson said this is a successor to the anti-gang legislation, which Cabinet previously approved, and which targeted the dismantling and destruction of criminal gangs in Jamaica.
Nelson said there are almost 200 criminal gangs in Jamaica and the dismantling of criminal gangs is an intrinsic part of the strategies of the law-enforcement agencies to address crime and violence.
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said this piece of legislation is considered one of the most significant pieces of legislation, and when enacted in Parliament, would significantly help in the fight against crime and in the dismantling of criminal gangs, especially in inner-city communities.
He said the legislation would ensure that law-enforcement officers could maintain law and order in inner-city communities and avoid having to deal with the conflicts between the many criminal gangs which operate islandwide.
He said the purpose of the act is to target the criminal gangs, their leaders, and members, who associate with and conspire to engage in serious offences. These gangs cause fear and intimidation and prevent people from going about their lawful business. It will also ensure that no criminal gang takes control and becomes the so-called protector or enforcer within these communities.
