SSP Damion S. Manderson | Today’s solution, tomorrow’s problem…If we do nothing

A few years ago I had a lecturer whose profound words resonate with me to this day: “many of today’s solutions will prove to be tomorrow’s problems”.

Jamaica continues to grapple with the painful realities of crime, violence and gang culture.

For decades, our law enforcement officers have put themselves on the frontlines, confronting criminals and dismantling networks that have terrorised communities and stifled development. Each success, whether through arrests or fatal encounters, is seen as a step forward – a solution in the ongoing battle for peace. But as we move forward and leave these criminals behind – especially those killed in confrontations with the police – we must be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking the problem ends there.

It does not.

In fact, if we are not vigilant, today’s solution may very well become tomorrow’s problem.

These men – and sometimes women – who are removed from our streets do not vanish into thin air. They leave behind families, particularly children. Some of these children are old enough to understand what happened; others are far too young to grasp the complexities of crime, justice and loss. Yet all of them are affected. And while the nation breathes a sigh of relief at one less gunman to fear; the seeds of trauma, confusion and potential revenge are often quietly sown into the next generation.

This is where Jamaica must be bold. As a nation, we must now transition from reaction to prevention – from cleaning up bloodstains to breaking generational cycles.

We must tell these children the truth.

The children left behind deserve honesty, not heroism. Too often, the stories told in inner-city communities about their fallen fathers or relatives become embellished tales of resistance and “badness”. These men are portrayed as victims, martyrs, or misunderstood heroes. But when the truth is not told, a lie quickly fills the vacuum. And when the truth is not told early, the lie becomes a legacy.

Let us be clear: these individuals were not heroes. Many of them lived violently, exploited others, and contributed to an environment of fear and instability. They were not defenders of communities; they were destroyers of peace and order.

The story of who they were must be told not to shame, but to educate – not to dishonor, but to deter. The telling of truth is a national responsibility and the children of these men deserve access to truth paired with love, understanding, and professional counseling.

That is how we begin to heal this nation – by caring not just for justice today, but for stability tomorrow.

TARGETED INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN OF SLAIN CAREER CRIMINALS

We must invest in targeted intervention programmes for children of slain gang members or career criminals. These programmes must go beyond the symbolic. They must involve trained psychologists, social workers, community leaders, faith-based counselors and educators who are equipped to help children process trauma and reshape their identity outside the shadow of violence. Their wounds are not visible like bullet holes, but they bleed silently for years – often erupting into rebellion, depression, criminal behaviour, or addiction later in life.

This is not simply a “nice idea” – it is a national imperative. Because when we ignore the children of the men we remove, we unknowingly build the next generation of gang leaders, criminals and vigilantes. They carry resentment, confusion and a thirst for answers.

Left unchecked, those emotions become destructive. But with intentional mentorship and truth, those same emotions can be redirected to fuel ambition, purpose and patriotism.

Let the nation not just protect today – let us protect tomorrow.

We are living in a democracy and while democracy is a blessing, it is also a fragile system. It requires constant maintenance and the guardianship of every law-abiding citizen. If we allow misinformation, trauma and silence to raise the next generation, we may find that we lose not just our children, but our democracy itself.

We must also call on our churches, schools, community organisations and law enforcement agencies to be proactive. Don’t wait until a child is caught with a gun to intervene. Go now. Engage now.

There are children who, even today, are sitting in grief-stricken homes wondering why their father won’t return – and others being fed lies about his legacy. If we truly want to reduce crime in the long run, we must reach these children early and speak the truth with compassion and consistency.

Jamaica cannot afford to repeat the cycle.

Every life removed from the criminal underworld is a partial victory. But the full victory comes when the cycle is broken. The full victory is when the child of a slain gangster becomes a teacher, a soldier, a scientist, a pastor, or a public servant. That is when Jamaica wins.

Let us, therefore, not leave these children to figure it out on their own. Let us not abandon them in the shadows of misinformation. Let us take responsibility for shaping the future – deliberately, compassionately and truthfully.

Today’s solution must not become tomorrow’s problem.

- Senior Superintendent of Police Damion S. Manderson, MSc., BBA, is Commander of the St. Andrew South Police Division. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com