Constructive criticism on ZOSO welcome

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I refer to your Letter of the Day, January 25, 2023, with respect to Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO).

I’m not sure what is meant by “voiced view that ZOSO is an ineffective strategy in curbing the wantonness of crime in Jamaica”.

We have on many occasions since the inception of ZOSO and at every renewal in Parliament over the last five years provided documented evidence of the effectiveness of the strategies employed.

It is also instructive that the ZOSO receives strong support on both sides of the aisle with the only shortcoming being that it should be expanded into additional communities.

Empirically, the fact that the communities under ZOSO have also embraced the initiative and other non-’ZOSO’ communities are requesting the intervention should also guide our views on this approach.

Approaches like the ‘Broken Window’ theory and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) are an integral part of the developing body of knowledge that if and when applied effectively will give good results.

I am certainly of the view that all methods and plans should be examined for improvement, and we must continuously strive to be better so all constructive criticisms should be embraced, listened to, and accepted for what they are.

I only trust that this will provide another view to balance the perspective we should have, and encourage all Jamaicans to be a part of the solution to a problem that affects all of us.

OMAR SWEENEY

Deputy Chairman - ZOSO (SIC)

Managing Director, JSIF