The tragic loss of life under any circumstance is regrettable but even more so when they occur in circumstances which  could have been avoided.   A JAP government will launch ‘Target zero’ with the aim of keeping the murder rate, road deaths  and police killings at zero. This is the only target that we think is acceptable. Instead of feeling please that targets numbering in the hundreds are achieved or that the total number is less when compared with other periods, the JAP government will at all time be actively working to prevent any of these deaths. Remember, even ‘one’ is not good enough if it is you or a loved one.

Murders
With the proposed steps that will be taken by the government and ministries along with other initiatives involving the citizens in all communities, we think that murders does not have to be a part of our lives. It is often said that the government cannot stop murders but this is not so as it is the duty of the government to put in place steps that will lead to the elimination of murders. Many persons have resigned themselves to the belief that these murders will take place and that nothing can be done to stop them. Some persons have this belief from a biblical perspective while others just feel hopeless. We cannot resign ourselves to this especially as we often see the pain, trauma and dislocation that these murders have caused, being played out on television, as well as among those around us whom have been affected. Hundreds of parents, thousands of children, siblings, family members and friends are gravely affected. None of us is immune from this tragedy and those who have not yet been directly touched are likely to be affected in the future, and those who have been affected could also suffer again. A major part of this thrust is to reorient the police as a service organization which will work very closely with the citizens to achieve these objectives. The citizens will also need to work with each other and be observant as to what is taking place in their communities and to act when there is a need to do so.  The neighbourhood watch programme will play a major role in this  effort and more police personnel will be shifted to this area to ensure the success of this programme in all communities. The elimination and breaking up of criminal gangs which are responsible for a large number of crimes, should help to prevent feuds which often lead to murder. Strong legislations will be passed to curtail and remove gangs from our society.   Penalties for illegal guns will be increased and measures taken so that no one will have the desire to own an illegal gun. We will seek to have a difference in sentences so that the sentence for an assault weapon will be much more severe than that of a pistol. After the first year in office a gun amnesty will be launched so as to get the illegal weapons off the street.

 

Traffic Accidents

In addition to the hundreds of persons killed each year on our roads, hundreds of others are left crippled, with missing limbs, in constant pain or permanently scared. The police will be deployed in a more efficient and effective way on our roadways so as to keep them safe instead of to write the maximum number of tickets. The point system will be revised and the allotment of points for various offences looked at. Points will only be allotted to ‘moving violations’ and will be removed after three years. Offences such as  parking and a blown bulb will not be alloted points. Persons will also have the option to removed a fixed amount of points by completing a defensive driving course or attending an approved road safety class at periodic intervals.  The aim of the points system will be to encourage safe driving and to remove those persons who are a danger from our roads. Persons will be required to notify the tax office within three months of any change in their address. Proper legislation and processes will be put in place to ensure that persons who have accumulated the required points will have their license suspended or revoked. New road signs will be placed at necessary locations, missing and faded road signs will be replaced and proper bushing will be done along our roadways so as to increase visibility. Beautification projects must not obstruct the view of motorists and plants must be limited to low shrubs. Trees will not be planted alongside the roadway as is done along the Harbour View and Innswood  roadway and where they pose a danger, they will need to be removed. These trees have been responsible for many deaths where the occupants would only have been ‘shaken up’ if the trees had not been there. Reflectors will be placed on light post and other objects where they are deemed to pose a threat at nights. In cases where the covenant of residence is breached  and walls obstructing the view of motorist are erected, it will have to be removed. Lane marking (white lines)  will be done and maintained  on roads which are deemed dangerous, on major thoroughfare and other places as funds will allow. The Painting and maintenance of stop-lines at intersection and of pedestrian crossings along with the necessary signage will be done.   Damaged road furniture  including signs and guard rails will be quickly replaced, as is done on the toll roads, at the expense of the person responsible or their insurance company. Penalties for jay-walking will be introduced as many accidents have been caused when drivers try to avoid hitting careless pedestrians. An active programme will be undertaken to educate all pedestrians and drivers on the proper use of the roadway and how to interact with motor vehicles, especially large ones. Many persons seem not to be aware that operating a large vehicle is very different from operating a motor car and does not give these vehicles the consideration that they should. The basic concept such as their field of vision, braking distance and other considerations that should be given to these large vehicles will be introduced to all drivers. The driving records of drivers will be available to insurance companies so that they can better access the risk that they are taking with respect to each particular driver and set their insurance premium accordingly. Accidents will not be only decided on a right or wrong basis but  in some cases on a percentage of responsibility,  as the actions of both drivers often contribute to the accident. Driving  along any roadway one can see countless barriers and signs which have been damage or destroyed in accidents and are left in the same condition forever, putting motorist and pedestrians at risk. Persons will be required to report all accidents where there are damage to property or road furniture and the repairs will be  billed to the person and their insurance company. Stiff penalties will be put in place for those who fail to make the report. Improper marking of roadway will be corrected as well as modification will be made to poorly designed roadways.

Police Killings
The police are entitled to and need to use deadly force where it is necessary in the protection   of themselves or others.  The strategies of JAP will be to work so as to eliminate the need for the police to use deadly force and where they do when it is not justifiable, they will be held to account. We will also move to eliminate the availability of illegal guns and provide education and social intervention in our most volatile neighborhoods. INDECOM will be better equip to complete a full investigation  where persons are killed and persecution will take place where the killing is deemed to be unlawful. This will serve as a strong deterrent to unlawful killings.