THE EDITOR, Sir:
LIKE HEADLESS chickens running to and fro or a ship without a captain, the Jamaican people seem powerless and lost, as the crime situation has cornered them and put them into a bind of fear, hopelessness and despair.
Many suggestions, analysis, research, and recommendations have been put forth, but to no avail. Now the latest, or should I say newest suggestion being put forth is to get foreign assistance. I sometimes wonder why we do not call for our country to be re-colonised. It seems to me that everything that can be easily tackled here, the call always goes out for foreign assistance, even when it is not needed or necessary. Why don't we call for foreign assistance to operate our parliament? Or better yet, have a foreigner as our prime minister?
Here are some suggestions to fight crime:
1. Everyone should have an identification card with his/her picture and personal history on it.
2. Only those going to work, school, looking for work, medical visitation, business transaction should be on the road.
3. All vehicles should be properly licensed, even bicycles.
4. Only security forces should have guns. If you want to own a gun, join the Jamaica Defence Force or Jamaica Constabulary Force.
5. Give wrongdoers a choice either they go to school or after a third, second, or first repeat offence you will be executed forthwith.
6. The law should be above everyone, and not the individual above the law.
7. Police should capture and interrogate. Killing only reduces efforts to getting to the big fish.
8. They say crime does not pay. But I believe that if some of these police officers were given incentives for every bust or ticket issued correctly, it would reduce their greed for taking bribes. Just think, if those drug barons' assets were sold and every police officers were given an incentive, don't you think that they would want to go after those other criminals who are cash rich?
I am, etc.,
ROBERT MARTIN
Gregory Park
St. Catherine
