https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Op8d1je1K0
This 60 Minutes story aired a few months ago and again tonight. It got me thinking then and now. The story outlines the experiences of an American Green Beret soldier who served in Iraq. This soldier drew up a plan to tackle drug and gang violence in Springfield, MA that is based on counter-insurgency principles.
I don’t know enough about counter-insurgency to comment on its merits, but I do know that it has had mixed results in the Middle East. Basically, it involves creating a heavy and visible police presence in neighbourhoods. What also stood out to me was the weekly elder meetings, which invited people from civil service organizations, schools, residents, business-owners, or anyone with an interest in safety, to meet every week to discuss whatever needed to be addressed.
I wonder if this would work in Jamaica. Certainly, gang violence is a major issue. It takes lives and creates fear, which has countless ripple effects in the community.
In general, dialogue usually eases conflict, but I wonder if the dons and drug dealers in Jamaica would be open to such a program. First, however, the police would have to regain the trust of the communities.
In any case, this is worth a watch as it is thought-provoking and an interesting thought experiment to apply to communities affected by gang and drug violence.
Jamaican Journal 
I always feel that they should eradicate the police force and install the military full-time. They should also make it mandatory for everyone to serve in the military for at least 4 years. Jamaicans need to be more patriotic.
Saw the episode last evening, Kate, and immediately thought the same thing.
Wish I could spend more time in JA thinking and learning about this! Not sure about counter-insurgency but one of the strategies (from the US) I have been most fascinated by comes from http://cureviolence.org/the-interrupters/ – uses former gang members as outreach, community workers, was designed by an epidemiologist!