THE EDITOR, Sir:
REACTIONS FROM the Police High Command and the Chief of Staff of the army to public perception expressed by concerned persons on call-in radio programmes regarding the most recent invasion of the Tivoli Gardens community by our security forces, seem to me to be over-defensive.
This should be of great concern as it brings into question what would be the level of fair and balanced control if, as is now being suggested, a state of emergency were to be called to control the upsurge of crime in Jamaica.
While not questioning the right of this most important team to do what they deem necessary to maintain law and order, concerns continue to be expressed as to the methods used to achieve their objectives, likening the operation to using an elephant to crush three ants.
I am sincerely asking if there was not a more simplified method that could have been used to apprehend three suspects whose location was known to them.
I, with great respect, throw this out for consideration and wish to point out that all talk shows or media expressed concerns are not 'orchestrated', as suggested by these important leaders.
I am sure the people of Tivoli Gardens bear witness to the fact that their community has, over many years, had many commendable achievements to their credit, even if, like everyone else, including the Security Forces, they have also had failures.
I am, etc.,
JEAN B. ANDERSON
jeanron@hotmail.com
