THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RATE of criminal activity in my native land has reached epidemic proportions and there are a few issues which boggle me. Firstly, how ironic is it that the USA, Canada and the UK are prime exporters of crime to Jamaica in the form of deportees, and sit on their high seats pointing critical fingers at us and issuing reports on the out of control criminal situation in Jamaica?
These deportees are often products of those societies, having left Jamaica at early ages. They take with them criminal connections, criminal advances, and their acquired criminal-mindedness, when they are returned to Jamaica. Getting a handle on this deportee situation is one of the critical elements to geting the criminal situation under control. How much longer must we continue to pay the price for deviant behaviour acquired in these First World countries? When will our government say no more will we accept these deportees?
Secondly, how do relevant authorities formulate approaches to fight criminal activities? There seems to be a stigma attached to ghettos as breeding grounds of criminal activities. It occurs to me however that criminal activities, drugs, guns and the like, require capital, which 'ghetto people' can hardly supply.
When bargaining with USA, Canada and the UK in efforts to stop the trans-shipment of drugs through our island, to supply the obviously high demand for illegal drugs within their borders, do we use the need for reciprocal assistance regarding guns and ammunition from their country to supply the criminal demand in Jamaica, as a bargaining leverage?
How much longer will the people of Jamaica continue to be held hostage to not only the criminal forces in our beloved island, but also to the deleterious deportation policies of the USA, Canada and the UK?
I am etc,
KEESHA RAYMOND
shadesoflife1on1@yahoo.com
Bronx, New York
Via Go-Jamaica
