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Columns : Preventative Measure - Gamal Newry Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Rules of Engagement
By Gamal Newry
Aug 10, 2007 - 3:24:29 PM

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The question put to me from last week submission were quite interesting as some persons agreed while others taught I was out of my mind for suggesting that the old adage 'when your dumb you dangerous' had any truth. Well as always I try not to define criminality without some support for my position, even though from time to time I do go out on a limb and make statement based on my observation and experience. As stated in last weeks column I have seen the truism relating to the high number of violent offenders being on the lower end of the academic scale. However in this week column I will offer another perspective as it relates to my position which I feel will bring balance and further expose this quandary that we call criminality.

  Our current world and life experience create for all of us a certain type of reality that has it own rules and regulation. We, those of us who live in what we have determined to be a modern civilized society that is those of us who are not readily prepared to take a life have accepted rules and regulations to govern our affairs. Like wise the violent offender has accepted certain rules and regulations to govern their affairs. Believe it our not there exist a code of conduct that determines how the violent offender should and in some instances must respond. If not followed the potential for lifelong repercussions is almost inevitable. How can the young man in his community demand respect if he does not retaliate with the same our more force. He definitely cannot get the attention of ladies, who in my opinion are his major motivating factor, but that for another time.

  Society in its efforts to reduce crime must then in my opinion be prepared to walk in the shoes of these persons, in an effort to better understand the way they think. It will not suffice to lock them up and throw away the key. We cannot ship them to another country or land and just forget about them. Our community is very small, so what we are asking and demanding in many instance is for us to forget about or cousins uncles and nieces. This is highly unlikely and thus compounds the problem. On numerous occasions I have had to deal with suspect persons who I grew up with went to school with. I recall that on occasion while being briefed for a special operation that the suspect was considered armed and dangerous. The suspect and I several years earlier shared many lunches while in high school. For the record he was apprehended without and any altercations to his and my relief.

  Really the crime problem is not the police's problem, I do not see police officers being gunned down or stabbed to death, nor the politician. This brings me back to this unstated code of conduct as it may also appear form a victimology stand point that they too are of the same caliber and mind sent of the offender. This may be troubled waters and too garner debate, but do we see lawyers, managers and professionals stabbing and killing each other.

  The rules of engagement are different, and we may see an all out war in the courtroom between to attorneys, who after which can be seen plying a friendly game of golf. What makes these professionals different it is not the education, it is my belief the rules that govern how they interact, how they relate. This is not to say that professionals cannot and are criminals, as we see from cases of fraud and embezzlement they have mastered the art of stealing taking millions at a time. It does however make obvious there method of operation which really does seem to be as violent.  

Is it not interesting though, that these intellectuals who do not commit violent crimes, and as some will argue do not even have the inclination are the ones who are making the formal rules that govern our society. This then makes for and unfair system as we rarely hear the news media covering the bank being defrauded of several millions, but we certainly hear of the armed robber getting away with a few hundred dollars. The same person is then said by police to be armed and dangerous, one who should be approached with caution.

  In there Crime and Human Nature, Wilson and Herrnstein discuss exactly these variations of the rules and how they in fact determine what is considered serious crime and what is considered violent. They at length the fact that what is perceived to be criminal is authored and ratified by the social elite who have lost touch or never touched the lower echelons of society.  The term no one is hurt becomes painfully apparent when the stealing of millions cause the increase in service fees or event the bankruptcy of the business.

  It is the better understanding of these variations that we need to see more, and as stated in last weeks submission is all too often observed by the offender which make us all liable.

  Gamal Newry is the President of Preventative Measures, a Loss Prevention and Asset Protection Training and Consulting Company, specializing in Policy and Procedure Development, Business Security Reviews and Audits, & Emergency and Crisis Management. Comments can be sent to P.O. Box N-3154 Nassau, Bahamas or, email;  gnewry@preventativemeasures.net or visit us at www.preventativemeasures.net


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