THE EDITOR, Sir:
I enclose an open letter to the Minister of National Security:
Dear Dr. Phillips,
I AM a very angry Jamaican citizen. I am angry because I cannot understand how you want to lead my country and have ultimate responsiblity for all portfolios, especially crime, when you have proved to be such a dismal failure at putting a dent in the seemingly uncontrollable crime situation.
I am angry because a few weeks ago, some of my relatives who are returned residents were attacked at their front door in Clarendon when they arrived home from the airport after a holiday in London. They were told to lie on the ground and not look at their attackers who took everything they had.
RANSACKED
I am angry because on Monday of this week, my other returned resident relatives, who are in their 70s, went out on business only to return to a house that had been broken into, ransacked and valuables stolen. It so happened that my sister and her family were due to arrive from London that same night. Coincidence?
These senior relatives of mine have lived at that Hatfield, Manchester, address for 18 years and the only reason they will not pack up and go back to England is because they think they are too old for that. My sister is now so paranoid she wants to check into a hotel for the rest of her stay.
COWERING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
The family is very scared, too, because whereas they used to spend hours chatting on their verandah at nights in the perceived safety of rural Jamaica, they are now cowering behind closed doors in fear that the robbers will return.
And by the way, when the police were called, they went and promised to return to take prints etc., but they have not.
They would love to find out from you, Mr. Security Minister, and the Government what will be done to protect the people who are directly responsible for the largest foreign exchange earnings in the island, many of whom have cancelled travel plans because they are being targeted.
I would love to know sir, when Government and Opposition will stop diagnosing the crime problems, stop putting forward prescriptive plans and start taking the remedial medicines?
And to the Opposition, I would love to hear what your solutions are.
I am, etc.,
BARBARA ELLINGTON
Kingston
