To
establish peace is one reality; to preserve peace will require
consistent discipline, upkeep, interaction, and monitoring. Below
are a few suggestions:
| 1. |
In
addition to the Peacekeepers, select a Community Watch Group
organized with video cameras to monitor activity in the community.
This is a precautionary – and interim – method to let everyone
know that they are likely to be observed. |
| 2. |
Both
the Peacekeepers and the Community Watch must work in shifts,
around the clock, to monitor behavior and maintain peace.
Their availability is critical to uphold order. |
| 3. |
Communal
communication is necessary to supervise the war zone areas.
Strategic points can be established throughout a neighborhood
provided with computers, cell phones, walkie-talkies, etc.,
to monitor social activities. Preferably during the day, at-home
mothers and elderly folks are candidates for Community Watch
Groups. Whenever there appears to be improper activity, they
should contact the Peacekeepers to address the situation.
The most serious incidents (shootings and murders) must be
left up to law enforcement agencies. Peacekeepers and Community
Watch groups are not police officers. |
| 4. |
All
Peacekeepers and Community Watch Groups should interact with
all people in the community. Throughout the neighborhood,
go door to door to discuss the peace policy or to distribute
peace flyers. If there are people who refuse to discuss peace
with you, leave a flyer in their mailbox or underneath the
windshield wiper of their car. Let no community resident
be ignorant of your peace initiative. |
| 5. |
Follow
through on every policy that will create peace. |
| 6. |
Maintain
contact with all parties under the peace accord. Keep them
abreast of the progress being made, and/or any concerns and
suggestions concerning the truce. |
| 7. |
Remind
each individual participating in the peace process that they
will be held accountable for his or her inappropriate behavior.
Established and agreeable guidelines for punitive damages
will be enforced by the Peacekeepers. Damages can range from
monetary fines, community work, or other requirements of the
peace agreement. |
| 8. |
Maintain
a written report on the progress of the peace negotiations.
Always acknowledge all individuals involved in the peace process.
|
| 9. |
To
preserve a truce, children must be educated on the premise
of peace. The knowledge of peace combined with their direct
participation will help create a generation of peace idealists.
|
Peace
Disarmament
To disarm is the ultimate gesture of peace and a true moment
of reckoning. Disarmament is not a coward’s way out, but rather
a wise person’s way in for peace.
It
is a myth that manhood and womanhood can be defined through the
barrel of a gun. But realistically, the majority of people who
do possess weapons will not surrender them under any circumstances.
Moreover, if a self-hate mentality is maintained among the residents
of a community, violence will continue, with or without the presence
of guns.
For
people to disarm themselves, then, they must first disarm their
minds with education and enlightenment in support of an ultimate
peace. Dare I entreat of every man, woman and child to lower the
barrels of their weapons in honor of peace?
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