This is an open letter to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security from Sylbourne Sydial of Facilitators for a Better Jamaica (U.K.).
Dear Sirs:
THE LOCAL and international Jamaican communities have been watching and hurting while our beautiful country is at present being overridden by criminal elements that have lost all respect for the right to life and especially that of children, women and the elderly.
Never in Jamaica did this happen, until of late. When one hears of rape and killing of children in Britain, Europe and the United States, we Jamaicans would always pride ourselves in the fact that gunmen in Jamaica do not kill children, women and the elderly. At the same time, we are not saying we are accepting of any form of killing, but such is not the case now, and it hurts when we hear of Sasha Kay being burnt alive; we hurt when we hear of three Jamaican women being abducted, gang raped, shot and dumped in sewage pit - it hurts and we hurt.
The conclusion has got to be drawn that there is actually no deterrent for criminals in Jamaica to stop them from carrying out criminal activities and atrocities against their fellow Jamaicans. We have further drawn the conclusion that the Government of Jamaica is failing the people of Jamaica in protecting them from their own. This is not a time to attribute blame and point fingers at yourself or the minister of national security, as we are sure you are doing your best. Which brings us to the question; if the best is being done, could it be that there is an issue of bankruptcy? Bankruptcy of the will and resolve to fight crime; bankruptcy of ideology in tackling this menace which is wreaking havoc on our beautiful country and which needs to stop right now!
TACKLING THE PROBLEM
We will set out a few sugges-tions and thoughts for you to ponder in tackling crime in Jamaica, even though we are fully aware that there are many aspects to crime in Jamaica, but we are just touching on a few points now!
1You should consider adopting the strategies of like-minded governments, which have a track record of low crime rates in their country. We urge you not to expect too much from Europe and the West, as they are not doing a great job containing crime themselves. We need to sit down with the likes of Cuba, Gambia, Korea, China and others, to work out joint operations and strategies with them. The likes of Mark Shields from Scotland Yard is appreciated, but he may not be the answer, and it appears that he is not, as the crime rate is not really budging - in fact, it is getting worse.
2The view that criminals are risk managers will be echoed here, as it appears that they know that it is highly unlikely that they will be caught. Also, if caught, it is more likely that they will be found not guilty, instead of guilty. If found guilty, it is more likely that they will get an opportunity to escape, and they also know that they will not go to the gallows. Therefore, going to prison does not seem to be a major issue for them and it does not seem to be an effective deterrent. To them, it may be a simple holiday or boot camp.
3It is further suggested that you should seriously consider enforcing capital punishment, which is on the statute books in Jamaica. If this will not be enforced, then it should be removed and, if it will not be removed, then one should develop the will power and the resolve to re-enact what is there. The ruling in the case of Pratt and Morgan should not be an issue. The Government should simply apply capital punishment once a criminal is found guilty of murder - let the law take its due course - get it done before five years or much less. Please do not take too much notice of the European Union, Amnesty Inter-national and other international bodies that oppose capital punishment. Please note that they do not really care about us.
4Finally, you may need to consider enquiring from the governor of Texas how they maintained capital punishment in Texas amidst the opposition. You may need to consider other means of capital punishment, like injection inter alia.
Yours truly,
SYLBOURNE S.B. SYDIAL
Facilitators for a Better
Jamaica (U.K.)
sylbsyd2000@yahoo.co.uk
Facilitators for a Better Jamaica is a Think Tank and lobbying group that specialises in being an effective voice with a mandate to speak up for Jamaica and Jamaicans' interest in the United Kingdom and internationally.
