THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE WAS a report in The Gleaner of May 24 about two policemen being shot and wounded within a 48-hour period. When a police person cannot go home at the end of the day without fearing for his life, what does Jamaican society have to say for itself?
I am a Canadian who would like to invest in an Ocho Rios resort, employ local citizens, introduce profit-sharing and pay a decent wage to all employees. I do not understand how the Government does not invest in its own police force. It's simple a happy employee is a productive employee. Pay the police person a decent salary. Give them the equipment needed to enforce the law for their own safety, as well as the public's. This doesn't mean the police persons are above the law. In fact they should be treated with more discipline, harsher punishments and stiffer fines.
Please let me start to read that the murder rate has decreased. Poverty is on the decline, employment and tourist rates are both up. The police are back on the honest and productive trail.
I have visited the island six times in the past year and have envisioned myself as a resort owner many times. However, I still have reservations because of all the killings, which must stop.
The police and society must take control and stop the gang violence all over the island. Only then will I feel real confident and comfortable in investing my personal life savings in Jamaica.
I am, etc.,
JOE ROBBIE
joe009@sympatico.ca
Toronto, Canada
