The Editor, Sir:

The crime situation is getting out of hand. It is a time for a combined security force team to take control of the streets and bring back some sort of civility to the country.

We need to curtail this crime epidemic and we need to do it now by utilising the combined security forces in the troubled communities and putting a squeeze on the freedom of movements of these criminal elements.

Second, we should conduct regular raids on these communities and put the gang leaders under constant 24-hour detention and get them frustrated to the point were their leadership ability is affected.

The security forces also need to foster a better relationship with members of the community by using personnel who are from these communities to reach out to their fellow community members. The government should also get with the age of technology in forensic technology to solve these crimes, especially in the area of genetics.

I am, etc.,

DAVID CLOUGH

dcfabo@aol.com

Bronx, New York