THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM very encouraged by the actions of the security forces in recent days and the reports in your paper. I would also like to commend Dr. Peter Phillips for showing some vision in his latest crime initiatives, however short-term they may appear to be.
I shudder at the thought of how the Jamaican people have suffered over the years because of this lack of vision.
It does not take a brain surgeon to come up with the plans that were announced by the Minister recently.
Why did it have to take this Government four terms, a couple of security ministers and hundreds of deaths to initiate these plans?
While there is enough blame to go around this is not the time to assign them.
We must try to build upon these plans however limited their success may be because we have too much to lose.
I was delighted to see the security forces mingling with the people in the communities even while they carry out a very difficult task.
This can only help to build up the trust and confidence the people have in the police force.
Instead of going into these communities with high-powered weapons and revenge, they went in with compassion and a willingness to listen.
For a change there are no demonstrations or complaints of police brutality. Are there any lessons to be learned here?
I call on the people of Jamaica to support the police more than ever now that they have shown a willingness to change and we might just have a happy New Year finally.
I am, etc,
L. BRISCO
lbrisco@sshsw.org
Bronx, New York
Via Go-Jamaica
