THE EDITOR, Sir:
CONSIDERING SO much damage is being inflicted on Jamaica as a country, and so many of its people live in fear of loss of business, homes and life itself because of crime, it is strange that so little thought seems to be given to the workings of the Justice System.
We can all be thankful to Jamaicans for Justice for writing in your columns to point out the reasons for the slow workings of the courts and the frustrations of the people concerned. The main problem seems to be that although many people, including the police, have a good idea of who the gunmen, arsonists etc. are, they cannot be brought to justice unless a witness is prepared to point them out in court. This may lead to reprisals to the witness or the family and few are prepared to risk this.
Crime Stop helps, but only so far. Is giving evidence in open court the only way? Insufficient thought seems to have been given to this. What about undercover police? Most countries have them and they can sometimes set up a situation where sufficient evidence can be obtained using technology. Technology such as DNA evidence could also be used if crime scenes were properly screened off and investigated.
Congratulations to those good police who work so hard in a dangerous job to protect us. They deserve far better conditions to work in as well as our thanks. Congratulations to Jamaicans for Justice who work hard to bring matters of justice and injustice to light and help those victims and the families of victims who fall through the cracks.
I am, etc.,
MARGARET HODGES
P.O. Box 597
Kingston 10
