THE EDITOR, Sir:
A TOTAL of 411 homicides at the end of March? This has got everyone talking. Back in the 1970s, a state of emergency would have been called for less than that, so what are we waiting for?
As I am writing this article at 2:37 a.m. (a little insomnia, wondering how my son's Easter term school fees are going to be paid) I hear gunshots echoing in the distance it's crime time.
I commend the efforts being made by our security forces, but this should not be a problem for the police alone to solve No, it is a national problem affecting all of us, and it needs the involvement of all of us.
Some of us 'ordinary' citizens can do a lot more to help. Some of us know the perpetrators. Some of us can even make some form of employment available to some of these would-be criminals, many of whom have formidable skills (you would be surprised!)
My friend the 'tiler' (who may never read this article, though) has put down his gun and is now making a honest living from his trade. He has received numerous recommendations from many a satisfied customer.
Situations like this contribute to a lowering of the crime figures.
We citizens are ready to take back Jamaica. To the powers that be: please involve us, the citizens, in a more meaningful way. Make it mandatory even.
As a footnote, I long for the day when the news presenter says 'We have no crime to report today, this makes the umpteenth day that there has been no murder recorded in Jamaica ...'
It's good to dream, isn't it?
I am, etc.,
NIGEL BLAKE
blakenigel@gmail.com
7 Baldwin Crescent
Kingston 20
Via Go-Jamaica
