THE EDITOR, Sir:
YOUR NEWSPAPER reported the sad case of a young countryman who had come to town and for want of employment and opportunity decided to return to the country. Not having anywhere to sleep - read - "there being no room in the inn" he put his clothes under his head and lay down on the cold concrete and fell asleep, while waiting on the early bus at the bus stop.
Unfortunately, "he fell among thieves" and on awakening his humble package of tools and clothes was gone. He searched frantically and found one man wearing his clothes - alarmed and distressed he was gratefully relieved to see a police patrol car approaching and he earnestly sought their help, for surely where his shoes were, there his tools would be also.
The reply of the policemen was clear, "Ah no police business dat".
The poor [uneducated] man now only had one choice, since it was not "police business" then it meant he had to act on his own - and so he did - he took a piece of wood and proceeded to "mash up the bway" - the fact is he broke the culprit's arms and leg in the process.
Suddenly, it was again "police business". The stranger previously unbedded, unwanted and unhelped was the centre of attention - a judge's attention no less - for he was faced with a serious charge - "felonious wounding" and denied bail and of course he was with no resources to afford a proper advocate or to play on the Prime Minister's words, not even as Assistant Advocate Advocate.
Now Mr. Editor, it is matters such as these that:
1. My friend the poor people's judge - the Chief Justice Mr. Lensley Wolfe must guide.
2. The Public Defender Mr. Howard Hamilton must defend.
3. The Bureau of Special Investigations must investigate.
4. Jamaicans for Justice must justify [sorry no room for the Families against State Terrorism here].
5. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Forbes must visit.
For surely this young man is guilty as charged and similarly there is no doubt that he did "defend his own".
Then it is we who have failed him, for how many of our awful crime statistics rise, because the police did not act when they should have.
I, for my part, have been wondering, if I were in the young man's shoes - no! That is clearly the wrong adage to use... I have been wondering if I had been that young man who saw that thief in my shoes, knowing that he had also stolen my tools that I needed to survive, then what would I have done?
Indeed Mr. Editor, what would you have done knowing that it was not "police business"?
That poor humble country man who has risen up in righteous indignation and obtained his own justice demands our prayers and help... plus who will give him back his tools?
I am, etc.,
Dr. JEPHTHAH FORD
1 Pennant Terrace
Kingston 19
