THE EDITOR, Sir:
AN ARTICLE appeared in the Sunday, September 21, edition of The Sunday Gleaner written by News Editor Phyllis Thomas entitled "Use DJs, Media To Take Guns Off The Street".
This article was most insightful, well written and thoroughly researched, although the DJ approach is not exactly a novel idea.
Buju Banton tried it some time ago with a song entitled "Murderer", but maybe as a group this time around they might be successful. I have always felt that Jamaica has the potential to be the greatest little nation on earth.
But before we begin to think in that term, we must first control the crime rate and the guns and ammunition entering the country illegally.
This will have to involve every sector of the society including the DJ entertainers and others of like influence.
The Custom Officers, too, have an important role to play, because one of the ways illegal guns and ammunition enter the country is through the ports, in barrels.
The media, the political directorate, the private sector, law enforcement and the church all have pivotal roles to play. This group must set the agenda. The media in particular must take the initiative; they must be proactive and not reactive.
What is somewhat troubling though, is the fact that some see the crime situation as a government problem and not a national one. Gun crimes concern the entire country. How does one explain 60 murders in 11 days and the country is not even involved in a civil war? How many times must we revisit Mountain View? This is not only ludicrous, it is totally unacceptable.
We foreign nationals are not interested in taking sides with any political party. We strongly feel that they should put their differences aside come together put Jamaica first and move the country forward. Jamaica! Can you hear me now?
This is called patriotism.
I am, etc.,
NOEL MITCHELL
e-mail: Nlmworld@aol.com
New York
Via Go-Jamaica
'Switching off'
