Misplaced cameras
published: Saturday | November 23, 2002
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WOULD like to focus on the article "Security Cameras Coming on stream," which was published on November 19, 2002, in the Jamaica Gleaner.
The purpose of my letter is to address the issues that I have with this article. The published article stated that Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, recommended implementation of cameras in Half-Way Tree, Cross Roads, New Kingston, and downtown Kingston in an effort to deter crime.
These areas are commercial areas, where businesses are conducted. These areas are not the areas where the vast majority of crime, violence, and killings are committed.Is this the kind of mandate the electorate gave the People's National Party when they elected them for four consecutive terms? I don't think so. The statistics on crime, violence, and killings are kept by the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The records of the JCF do not indicate the areas that Dr. Phillips recommended to initiate the installation of the cameras as the most critical areas regarding crime, violence, and senseless murders.
Dr. Phillips knows where and how to get to the root cause of crime, violence, and killings in Jamaica. Dr. Phillips has access to all kinds of records and reports on crime, violence, and that of senseless killings in Jamaica. Yet, Dr. Phillips did not mention any of the garrison areas where cameras should first be installed. The root of crime, violence, and killings are mostly in the inner cities of Kingston. For example, Denham Town; Rema, Arnett Gardens, Olympic Gardens; Tivoli Gardens; Matthews Lane; Waterhouse; Majestic Pen; and
Mountain View.
In addition, you also have August Town in St. Andrew and Spanish Town, St. Catherine, just to mention a few other areas. These are the areas where the cameras should be first installed, if you really want to deter violent crime in Jamaica.
The garrison areas where garrison politics is responsible for a great deal of crime, violence, and killings need Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs). Perhaps this is where the first set of cameras should be installed. Get the cameras installed first in the areas that are most critically affected by this epidemic of crime, violence, and killings.
