Answer to crime: Death penalty or surveillance

Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Crimes and Criminal Intelligence, Mr. H. M. G. B. Kotakadeniya was reported in The Island yesterday calling for the re-imposition of the death penalty to stem the rising crime wave in Sri Lanka. Mr. Kotakadeniya, a veteran policemen and known as a 'tough cop', should know what he is talking about but it has to be pointed out that the debate whether the imposition of the death penalty does bring down the rate of homicides has been a subject of lengthy debate among criminologists and sociologists.

Even if the death penalty does have a positive effect on reducing homicides, it could be considered a retrogressive step in this age where the harsh methods of punishment imposed by countries following certain cultural patterns are imposed.

In considering how the galloping crime wave now on can be combated, Mr. Kotakadeniya himself points the finger in the correct direction in his interview with The Island. Referring to the rape and murder of the Indian woman on the Modera beach this week, he says that the basic reason for such incidents is the lack of police patrols. This service has been drastically reduced due to the prevailing situation in the country and if such patrolling was done the accused would not have acted in such fearless manner.

The root cause for this crime wave, in our opinion, is that criminals now believe that they can commit any crime and get away without being detected and any form of deterrent punishment being imposed. This is primarily because the disappearance of police surveillance over the years.

Take the example of three wheel taxis, one of which was used in the abduction of the Indian national from the Modera beach. These taxi drivers enjoy absolute freedom to commit any traffic offence or crime and get away with it because of the absence of any regulatory systems of control and surveillance. In most countries, taxis have inside them the photograph of the taxi driver who is authorised to drive the vehicle as well as a framed document of the licence empowering him to drive the taxi. There is also a notice saying where the public can make their complaints. In contrast, in this country, any lout, if he so wishes, can drive a three wheeler and it is happening because these taxis are driven almost for18 hours of the day because owners want to cover up loans taken to purchase the vehicles. They know that they are not easily identifiable and besides with three to four drivers taking turns, responsibility is hard to fix. In Singapore, it is presumed that the taxi driver is at fault if a member of the public complains, it being presumed that the public will not make complaints without a cause.

Another example is where daylight robberies can be committed in Colombo's suburbs with effortless ease and no fear of detection. With most families in the suburbs out of home during daylight hours, everyday is a field day for professional thieves. And they need not fear the police catching up on them. Recently, in and around Galpottha Road, Nawala, a large number of houses have been broken into during daylight hours and the homes stripped of the valuables. The police have not been able to apprehend the criminals. Nor have any efforts been made to track down the robbers. The obvious preventive action that comes to the mind of a layman is to have mobile patrols in mufti going round during daylight hours. But is it happening? All the police would ask the victims is whether they had any suspects to name.

Snatch thieves operate even in crowded streets in Colombo Fort. They snatch gold chains and handbags under the eyes of policemen and get away. Today's policeman stands by and watches as criminals operate virtually under his nose. This lax attitude of the present day policeman is a contributory cause for the rise in crime.

Policemen come up with the stock answer why they can't prevent crime: Security. True, anti-terrorist measures do account for a significant section of manpower. Then comes the security for the people's representatives to be protected against the people. Whether such security is needed for many nincompoop politicos, particularly in the South, has to be investigated. If the Governor of the North-East province, Mr. Gamini Fonseka, is provided with only a police volunteer guard for his security, do politicians whom terrorists are not interested in, need any security? Is it that they have to be protected from their own constituents for various misdemeanours?

President Kumaratunga may not realise it right now but the people are tired of being abused, harassed and robbed by criminals. It could well become a significant factor to make up the mind of the silent voter.