EVIDENCE has shown that crime has its genesis in the society, and its growth and pattern need to be addressed not only through applying crime-solving methods, but also by putting in place preventive measures which take on board a scientific approach in gathering and analysing data.

It is within this context that our approach to crime and crime-fighting can engender positive results. and societal development. Crime speaks to a violation of the laws. Equally, crime cannot be fought by committing crimes, and this is why it becomes important to recognise that the upholding of laws is hinged upon crime-fighting and development. When a nation accepts crime as destructive, regardless of the socio-economic and political standing of the perpetrators, and is prepared to treat all equally before the law, it creates the desire to put systems in place to address crime in an holistic manner.

White-collar crime, while having similar debilitating effects as blue-collar crime on development, is being given less attention. This lends itself to a scenario where the privileged and connected may be allowed to get away with illegal activities in full view of the system, the operators of which turn a blind eye or are similarly compromised. Equally, if systems are not put in place to minimise and deter blue-collar crime, it lends itself to the perception that this is the result of a failure by the system and communities to address the welfare of the less privileged and unconnected, i.e., the ordinary man and woman.

One of the most effective tools of crime-fighting is using information or intelligence gathered from those accused in a scientific manner, not only in crime-solving but also to plan and project crime avoidance. And to this end, it may be opportune for this nation to look at an education programme in criminology, and appointment of criminologists, whose role it is to focus on the study of crimes and their causes, effects, and social impact. In the 21st Century, crime-fighting has become more sophisticated and holistic; it is not seen as separate from the society. It also requires an effective national development strategy, which will tackle social ills such as poverty, hunger, education deficiency, unemployment and under-employment, respect for human life and the environment, graft and corruption, upholding of the rule of law, international conventions, charters and declarations.
And where efforts at tackling blue-collar crime are seen as necessary only through military hardware, such efforts ought to be reviewed. Evidence has shown that such an approach, in the absence of intervening factors such as human rights, employment/unemployment rate, school dropouts, recreational facilities and incentive/attractiveness for the get-rich-quick syndrome, which is built on criminality, never aids in addressing the cause. Also needed to be factored in is that blue-collar crime will seem acceptable to perpetrators, where it is seen or felt that the privileged and connected are allowed to engage in acts of criminal conduct with impunity.
Making crime-solving and avoidance/prevention part of a nation’s developmental strategy is possible when all are held to the same standards, and play by the same rules. In this environment, it helps, too, to recognise that modern-day crime-fighting techniques do not see killing as acceptable or a first choice. And where death has occurred, the Coroner’s Act, Chapter 144 sets out procedures as to how this ought to be dealt with. For years, this law has been observed in the breach, and only for a chosen few, in spite of its being universal. It is the equal responsibility of the alleged criminal, law enforcer, privileged and connected, and the ordinary man and woman to abide by the law, and be held accountable under the law. Effective and efficient crime-fighting is hinged on these stated factors, and the nation has to work to ensure that said factors form part of the daily occurrence in the management of the State.