Closed to Crime Initiative Executive Summary
The Manchester Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Ministry of National Security, SME’s, Returned Citizen Association, Lay Magistrates Association, Custos Gilbert Allen, Northern Caribbean University, Manchester Parish Council, Police Civic Committee, Service Clubs, Business Community and individuals embarked on a drive to reduce crime in the parish of Manchester in particular and Jamaica on a whole.
The resources that have been identified by the Police and Judiciary as critical to the effort are as follows:
- The Institution of an adequate Motorized Patrol operating 24 hours
- Expansion of the District Intelligence Unit
- Installation of Closed Circuit Cameras in the town of Mandeville
- Improved facilities at the Investigative Unit
There is no doubt that the cost of this project is meaningful, however, there is also no doubt, that:
- The safety of Mandeville’s citizens across all social classes has been compromised and that all social classes have a right to safety.
- For multiple reasons, it won’t work to simply assign the resolution of this problem to the Ministry of National Security.
- We must accept that the police are the technical experts and listen to what they say, unless we want to become police officers ourselves.
- We must challenge the police to maintain law and order in our society, while helping them to do so.
- Local initiatives in no way mitigate the responsibility of Government of Jamaica to protect its citizens. We must ensure that they perform.
- We must accept that Manchester’s level of safety cannot be meaningfully advanced without the input of its residents.
- Accept that different residents will help in different ways
The JCF regional command has indicated their intention to reduce the levels of serious crime in the parish by 25% this year. They must have access to basic resources. Fortunately, we have more than 1500 registered businesses and many willing individuals in our community.
Manchester’s citizens will not tolerate breaches of their safety, nor the economic downturn that will inevitably occur as a result of serious crime.
Please recognize that your children, your families, yourselves and your colleagues are all substantial stakeholders in the economic success of Manchester. You really have very limited scope to be uninvolved, and we implore you to support this initiative against crime.
Contribution can be deposited in the MCOC - CTCI NCB Account: #501031852
Communication & Public Affairs
Home and vehicle for the Chamber's public relations. This Division will receive from the Secretariat, or prepares for the Secretariat, information for release to the media on the instructions of the secretariat. It may also receive information from the Entrepreneurism and Business Advocacy Division Head for release to the media on approval of the Secretariat. Approval will consist of the President and any other member of the Secretariat. Otherwise in such absence of the President, on the signature of a Vice President and any other two members. The Division is the main medium of external communications
Membership
This Division is charged with keeping in touch with Chamber members and ensuring their needs are met. The Division also sees to the issuing of new Chamber memberships, renewing existing memberships, and providing the Chamber members with a variety of services, including mailing lists, member to member discounts, networking events, etc.
Workforce Development
The Division connects businesses to local and national workforce systems and to institutions delivering training for those systems in order to better align current and future training with the needs of the workplace. It is responsible for the drive to see a highly skilled, well educated workforce prepared for challenges
Entrepreneurism & Business Advocacy
This Division leads the drive to enhance and nurture the innovative entrepreneurial environment and ensure that both the tools and the necessary economic climate are available to assist enterprises to grow, create jobs. This Division will have responsibility for the slate of industries/sectors represented in the community vis a vis mining, tourism, agriculture, construction, services, etc, which are referred to as Units. Assigned Unit heads will report directly to the Division head.
Finance:
The Division ensures adequacy of funding for the Chamber's administration as well as its projects, through fundraising, membership dues and other sources of income. It prepares the annual budget in line with the objectives set each year and monitors actual income and expenditure. The Division will see to the preparation of the financial statements of the Chamber and for the necessary audit to be done on an annual basis. Monthly management accounts are to be reported to the Board of Directors and members meetings.
Government Relations & Economic Development
This Division is charged with lobbying efforts and representation at local and national level in ensuring the needs of members are met and that the drive leads to economic development within the Parish. Air transportation, Highway Development, Water Supplies are some major issues of the Division however will be reviewed annually or more frequently if necessary.
Projects and Events
This Division will spearhead and arrange all projects of the Chamber which includes but is not limited to Monthly members meetings, Seminars, luncheons, Award functions, and community projects.
