Why a State of Emergency has not been declared?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM amazed that our security forces cannot prevent the continuing high level of crime in the western end of Kingston. I am even more amazed that the number of killings has increased significantly in the last month. In my opinion they should have gone down as a result of the meetings between the politicians of both sides!

I spent 14 years in the 3rd Battalion, Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve) and took part in many "call-outs" and "States of Emergency" between 1966 and 1977 when I resigned. I cannot understand why a State of Emergency has not been declared and the JDF called out to cordon, curfew and search the trouble areas in western Kingston.

Surely it is past time for this to be done, as our rate of murders now must be the highest ever in Jamaica and right up there with Colombia's and Central Europe's. Our police are not trained or equipped to do the job and, therefore, the army must be fully called out. We cannot continue to accept the daily killing rate at the present level.

The Government must ensure that the killings stop. They must provide the leadership, manpower and resources to stop the warfare and if they do not, one can only conclude that either they don't want to or do not know how to. Which one is it?

I am, etc.,

PETER J. C. THWAITES

Back to Letters