The Editor, Sir:

It is very heart-rending to know that some members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are involved with the extortion rackets that are so prevalent across our major townships.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding must defuse this dimension of criminality within his first two years in office. He needs to rise to the occasion, and I would suggest that he needs to establish a unit in the police force that deals with extortion across the island.

Difficult times

In these very difficult times, unscrupulous persons are capitalising on everything that they see people gravitate towards as a means of survival. Can you imagine people having to pay to wash, bathe or even swim in rivers in some parishes? Is it that the authorities have conceded defeat to the thugs and criminals who have sought to have strangleholds on people who are simply trying to survive?

This new police unit must be designed specially to deal with extortion in every town, street or lane in Jamaica. Culprits must be made to feel the full force of the law.

It is very embarrassing to know that there is always a police post in the Spanish Town bus terminus, and extortionists have continued to run the park without 'fear or favour'.

If the authorities cannot ensure the safe and free movement of the people, then my suggestion is to give every household in Jamaica firearms as per household member. A country as small as Jamaica cannot be run by two factions - the Government and thugs from the underworld.

St Alburn Munroe

stalburnmunroe@gmail.com