Education and job creation can curb escalating crime THE EDITOR, Sir: I HAVE lived and worked in Jamaica for many years. Most people I have encountered were intelligent and civic-minded. However, whenever there is a problem in Jamaica on crime or violence, people are writing letters to solicit help from abroad. The people in the United States and England do not know Jamaicans like the people who live and work in Jamaica. First, the problems we are having are not new to us. What we need to do is to have committee meetings with the people who are involved with the problems. Go to the ghettos and talk to the people. Not talk once. Set long-term goals with these people. Educate and train them. The core of our problem is lack of education and low self-esteem for most of the people who are involved with crime. How can we solve a problem without having the people who are causing the problem present. The politicians are not to be involved in these meetings. Politicians cause problems by showing ownership to these people as if they are cattle. The private sector and the law-abiding citizens are the ones most affected whenever a riot or a protest occurs. As citizens we need to know what we can do to help these people who are so desperate that they are killing and maiming each other in the name of politics. These people need training and jobs. Not short-term jobs, life-sustaining jobs. The private sector and citizens will be better for putting their pride or naiveté aside and help our uneducated and untrained fellow Jamaicans. Nurses, doctors, teachers and other professionals need to get involved and help by volunteering time. Every little bit helps. As Jamaicans we like to do things in big heaps. We need to re-evaluate our motto, "One, one coco full basket." For that we will be a better nation. I am etc., SHARON HAYLETT sharon.haylett@law.csuohio.edu Cleveland, Ohio Via Go-Jamaica
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