Commentary

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS AN ineluctable reality that since the joint police-military operation in west Kingston, the overall approach to crime and criminality has taken a paradigm shift. Now more than ever, our security forces seem to move with such stealth, speed and renewed stamina to crush those antagonists who were holding civil society hostage.

The lawkeepers, to say the least, are relentless and ruthless in their efforts. While this is very commendable, a word of caution must be pronounced as the security forces seek to fulfil this mandate.

Intuitively, one cannot help but to be concerned about the police's drive to detain those who are supposedly criminals seeking asylum in western Jamaica. Just a few days ago, the police high command in western Jamaica proudly announced that they have detained and processed several persons from western Kingston and Clarendon addresses.

Free intra-migration

While some people would argue that it is very likely that these persons are criminals on the run, I beg to take a different approach. I am forced to wonder if the police are acting upon intelligence or just inference. Need I remind us that a person of such an address is not necessarily a criminal seeking to 'cool off' in the west? The last time I checked Jamaica facilitated free intra-migration of all its citizens.

Therefore, I am appealing to the police that even in their quest to hunt and eradicate criminals that they exercise restraint in ensuring that normal, law-abiding citizens are not subjected to any form of harassment or injustice.

I am, etc;

Randy Goldson

Vice-president

United Student Movement

mentoranks@hotmail.com