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move freely from Arnett Gardens to Tivoli Gardens, two communities that belong
to opposing political parties. There is friendly rivalry between opposing football
teams…..This was not always so.” We were also told that the influence of
“Dons” is on the wane. However realistic those portents may be, we are still
concerned about the concentration of illegal firearms and the emotion of
pecuniary greed that exist among criminal organisations that have their
headquarters within garrison communities.
15.41.
The establishment of a police post within Tivoli Gardens after
24 May 2010 was and is a positive development.
We recommend that this
approach be replicated in those garrison constituencies where none
presently exists
. Such institutional strengthening is vital to the development
of community policing and problem-oriented policing strategies and engendering
respect for the rule of law. No democratic nation can have, within its own
borders, communities that cannot be effectively and efficiently policed by the
legitimate civil power. It is crucial that garrison communities be brought into
mainstream existence and benefit from the services and protection provided by
the State.
15.42.
In addition, since “de-garrisonisation” ultimately requires consensus
among political parties,
we recommend
a.
A bi-partisan approach leading to agreement towards the
dismantling of garrison communities facilitated by an independent
third party.
b.
A road map for “de-garrisonisation” should be handed over to an
independent body similarly structured in composition to the
Electoral Commission, to develop the details of the process.