THE EDITOR, Sir:I WAS hoping that with Bruce Golding's ascent to the leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party that we were about to see a change in the way politics is done in Jamaica but, alas, it seems I was wrong.
His recent statements about the police actions to halt the murder rate in Spanish Town is a big disappointment and I am certain it will not encourage any of the 40 per cent undecided electors to participate in the process.
The reality in Jamaica is that many inner-city communities has several young men with illegal firearms in their possession, even in the 'peaceful' areas.
Whether or not these guns are being used at the moment, it is the police duty to search for these guns and to arrest those who may have them in their possession or are using them.
The fact is we have seen time and again these communities erupt because the guns and the men touting them never get removed from the streets.
These same politicians are the ones who complain that the police are not protecting the citizens when the inevitable eruptions occur. Now that the police are going on intelligence and being pre-emptive, they get labelled as 'Nazis'.
I agree that abuse of police powers must not be tolerated, but that was not the issue raised by Mr Golding and his colleague. It was the detention of men from a peaceful community (ha!).
I understand that politicians have to placate their political bases but from people aspiring to lead all 2.7 million Jamaicans, I expect a lot more.
I am, etc.,
RICARDO SMALLING
rsmalling@sympatico.ca
Ontario, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
