Blocking roads unacceptable
published: Friday | September 16, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

A LESSON learnt in the aftermath of the massive devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina is that no progress is possible in any crisis or the governing of any country without the existence of law and order. In my view, there has been a complete breakdown and outright disregard for law and order in Jamaica. This didn't happen overnight; this has been ongoing for years with society on a whole being quite complacent about it.

To begin with, the population must be disarmed by whatever means necessary. There are too many guns in the street both legally and illegally and as long as those guns are out there, the country will never be at peace. I would like the security forces and Operation Kingfish to know if they continue to ignore the situation, they are wasting their time. The startling murder rate is prime example of what I am talking about.

The government of the day should never allow the Opposition or anyone else for that matter to close the country down, because it is in the interest of no one and a detriment to the entire nation. The roadblockers and the tyre-burners should be dealt with harshly. Jamaica is a democratic country so people have a right to protest and demonstrate peacefully for whatever cause or reason they choose. But to block roads and lock down the county is despicable and totally unacceptable.

I am, etc.,

N.MITCHELL

New York

Via Go-Jamaica