Identify the root cause of crime
published: Wednesday | June 8, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT HAS indeed become more and more difficult to describe the grotesque high levels of crime and violence that has been plaguing the island over the past decade and a half. Many individuals, organisations and sectors have attempted to curb crime over the past few years. The government has initiated crime plan after crime plan. The churches have marched, they have bawled, they have fasted and they have prayed, and yet still more than 700 have been slain since January 1, 2005. Some in the private sector who might have thought themselves immune have received a rude awakening in recent weeks.

All efforts to curb crime have failed miserably, mainly due to the fact that there has not been any scientifically supported research done to identify the roots of this monstrous evil. What we need to solve the problem is authoritative information on the problem itself, such as: what are the root causes; why some Jamaicans do not value the life of their brothers and sisters; where did the youths get all those big long guns; why the lack of parenting skills; why is it so easy for a Jamaican to take a gun and kill another person for the simplest of reasons.

Once this research has been done then we will be more prepared to inaugurate mechanisms that will put a halt to the stampede of crime. I hereby recommend that this effort be not individualistic. A non-partisan government, an unselfish private sector, a united church and a synchronised Jamaican community is what it will take to put away this dragon called crime.

I am, etc.,

JADE FRAY

jadefray@yahoo.com