THE EDITOR, Sir:
I MUST agree with Professor [Archie] McDonald of the University of the West Indies, in The Gleaner of 30/6/05 on the subject of zero tolerance to be applied by the security forces in carrying out their duties.
Zero tolerance, to my mind, does not involve the arrest and brutalising of an individual for every minor infraction, but as a law enforcement agent one cannot allow an infraction to be committed, in view or otherwise, without intervening and investigating to a satisfactory conclusion.
In so doing, the perpetrator might for the first time realise that he or she is engaged in breaking the law, quite apart from what criminal proceedings might emanate from the encounter.
From years of experience in criminal investigation, I could write books on the subject of zero tolerance to highlight its importance, but in this instance I will recall one incident for general information.
Some years ago while working in a parish in western Jamaica there was a spate of break-ins at nights, which spanned a period of about three months. The scenes were properly investigated, fingerprints were found at some scenes and files were prepared for each scene.
VISITED FROM KINGSTON
It was subsequently discovered that the person responsible for these break-ins visited the parish occasionally from Kingston. He operated on a bicycle and lived an unsuspicious lifestyle.
One night this criminal was riding his bicycle without light, was cornered and held in Kingston and was found with incriminating evidence. It turned out that his fingerprints showed that he was responsible for over 13 cases of break-ins in the western parish.
Investigation further revealed that he was responsible for the shooting of a prominent journalist in Kingston.
Zero tolerance and community policing, if enforced by members of the security forces can go a far way to securing a crime-free state and an economic future for this blessed country.
I am, etc.,
A concerned citizen
Montego Bay
