Elgin Taylor, Star Writer

To say that crime is rampant in Jamaica would be an understatement. The fact is that our situation is so bad that on a per capita basis, we are ranked among the top countries in the world with the worst crime problem.

As a country, governments over the years have tried several measures to cauterise the problem but to no avail. Perhaps, it is time to try a novel idea, like the use of music to tame this monster. All right, I know, many readers will burst into uncontrollable laughter to hear about this utopian and idealistic suggestion. However, I would advise that before you do so, or now that you are finished, it is time to wipe those happy tears and let us reason together.

Among Biblical chronology are the stories of two men, Saul and David. Now, as recorded in 1 Samuel 16 verse 23, Saul was a king with a murdering spirit similar to many misguided persons in Jamaica. We can verify this by the fact that at one point he threw a javelin at David with the express intention of killing him. David, a young humble servant of the Most High, was a gifted harp player. Saul soon realised that whenever this young man played the harp, a calming sensation came over him and the wicked, murderous spirit would depart from him.

There is evidence out there, both documented and anecdotal, about the emotional effect of music on an individual. Such effect can be good/desirable or bad/undesirable. It is also important to point out that a piece of music may have different effects on different individuals.

Balladeers and crooners especially have often boasted about the relationships forged and the number of babies born while patrons and fans listened to their songs. Fans too have given their testimonies of the strong, positive effect of certain love songs. We have even been told of countries that used certain songs as a form of torture and psycho-logical warfare.

It is fair to ask the question, which types of music can 'tame the beast' as it were? Certainly, not the types that glorify 'badmanship' and extol violence. You will recall that David was a righteous man, therefore a certain level of righteousness and goodness will have to be in the music. This would include some forms of 'church music' but certainly exclude all forms which pay homage to the god Bacchus.

Some may even venture to say that love songs and lovers' rock could be utilised in this fight against crime. It goes without saying that unwholesome songs with unwholesome lyrics would be exempted from this exercise.

There is also the matter of combining one or two areas of national pastime to forge a greater effect. For example, twinning a certain kind of music with the game of football or athletics.

Certain types of music could be strategically piped through halls of mass gathering and in the workplace at acceptable decibel levels.

This is not a matter of psychological control, it is all about the preservation of a people. It may even become necessary to revisit the Night Noise Act.

Is this all ridiculous mumbo-jumbo? The idea may not be anything new and it may already be having a positive effect on the population.

Questions, comments, observations? you can email me at elgin1225@yahoo.co.uk

There is evidence out there, both documented and anecdotal, about the emotional effect of music on an individual. Such effect can be good/desirable or bad/undesirable .