THE EDITOR, Sir:
I STRONGLY believe that the necessary actions needed to tackle the scourge of crime have somewhat eluded us. Our Police Force has been stretched to its limit and our present/past Ministers of Security with all good intentions have tried several strategies to combat this demon that has been unleashed on the society but the plague continues to spread.
The situation has become very delicate and I think there is need for a different approach in order to bring back 'sanity' in the society. The crime problem will never be solved until we are able to bring peace and love in the communities/ country (PALC). This may sound simple but where there is no peace the people will perish.
I am reminded of the days of yesteryear where people in particular the rural communities, were kept informed on how to keep their community clean, the value of farming, the value of education and on health matters etc., by way of big screen movies that were being shown then in the town squares by the Government's Agency for Public Information (API). I think every effort should be made to revitalise this effort by way of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), in order to sensitise the populace of the serious state of affairs of our beautiful island, which is caused by the outrageous disease called crime.
In order to do this, I suggest that a (graphic) movie be developed on the 'Passion of Jamaica' to be shown in every nook and cranny. In our prisons, schools, community centres by way of our electronic media as well as Town Halls/Squares in order to facilitate those persons who live in the deep rural areas and might not have access to Cable/TV's. The perpetrators of crime and other offences should be made aware of the consequences of their actions which have caused excruciating pain and suffering to their loved ones and the entire nation on a whole.
My dream of the production of this movie would embrace themes on Crime (From petty theft to murder; from the cradle to the gallows); lifestyle diseases, values and attitudes; conflict resolution; and the bonding of the family unit.
This suggestion may sound crazy but it is reported that a number of persons on seeing the 'Passion of Christ' have become Christians and there is one reported case of a gunman who actually turned in his gun. Therefore a film on the 'Passion of Jamaica' might just bring the necessary change that we all crave. I sincerely hope that the Government or one of our entrepreneurs will take up the challenge and 'RUN WID IT'. Let peace and love abide.
I am, etc.,
VLC
vcluin@hotmail.com
Barbican, Kingston 6
