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Criminologist Dr. Jason McKay has said Monday's revelation by the Turks and Caicos Government that it is grappling with a rise in Jamaican-related gang activities demonstrates the seriousness of the gang problem in Jamaica.
In an address to the territory's legislature, TCI Governor Nigel Dakin appealed for support from the Jamaican Governmentto bring the situation under control.
The TCI recorded 14 murders last month.
Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Tuesday, Dr. McKay said the Jamaican Government should offer "any assistance necessary" to its neighbour and use the opportunity for information gathering on Jamaican criminals in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
"If they are giving trouble there, chances are they are wanted here; they have committed crimes here and we just can't catch them because they are over there," he reasoned.
Dr. McKay argued that it has become the "new normal" for criminals who commit offences in Jamaica to "take a boat to the Bahamas, they go through Mexico into the United States, or they go down to some other Caribbean islands, like the Turks and Caicos".
He believes that the information coming out of the Turks and Caicos Islands will allow the international community to better understand the crime and violence problem facing Jamaica's security forces.
Similar to TCI Governor Nigel Dakin's suggestion that the situation in that country is at the level of terrorism, Dr. McKay agreed that this is the reality in Jamaica.
He argued that while other countries have legislation to deal specifically with terrorists, Jamaica does not. But more international recognition of the situation, he said, could allow Jamaica to "push for that type of legislation" with the blessing of the international community.
Dr. McKay is optimistic the call from the TCI will result in more assistance also being offered to the Jamaican Government.
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