THE EDITOR, Sir:THE UPSURGE in crime and violence in Jamaica has gone way beyond distasteful and disgusting. On the front page of The Gleaner dated November 24, 2005, our Finance & Planning Minister Dr. Omar Davies called on the PIOJ to provide "scientific clues" as it relates to the murdering that is escalating in our nation.
Dr Davies said, "There is a scope for us to rigorously and analytically examine what are the causal factors (behind crime)."
This is the answer: - as a nation we suffer from this plague of violence because there is too much 'blood on our hands and on the land.'
We need to realise that the person(s) who are committing these crimes are not the only ones that are guilty. It may be a hard fact to face, but all who have knowledge of these crimes, or those in authority and leadership that are not doing anything about it are just as responsible for every life that has been taken. Too many of these murderers that get caught are taking up space in our prisons and are not suffering their rightful fate. I strongly support the demand for corporal punishment to be restored in Jamaica.
BRING THEM TO JUSTICE
All criminal elements, when captured, should be brought to complete justice. If the severity of the crime so warrants, they should be hanged, guillotined or lethally injected. A standard has to be set. I am strongly in opposition to 'vigilante justice' but many are fed up with the current justice system of this nation, hence, they would rather to take matters in their own hands. Nevertheless, this should not be so.
If we are to build a better and safer Jamaica, there has to be a zero tolerance for lawlessness. Criminals will have to know there are extremely serious consequences for their actions. When they are handed over, our justice system must begin to deal with them differently. If this is not done, this nation will continue to go downhill and it will only get worse from here. When people know facts about crimes and keep their mouths shut, how can we continue to recite our motto that says, 'out of many we are one people?'
Prayer and fasting is good, but wise action along with that is vitally necessary. The building of our nation is a deliberate responsibility of every citizen.
I am, etc.,
J. HUGGINS
Ocho Rios, St. Ann
qtee_j@yahoo.c
