The Editor, Sir:

For too long as Jamaicans we often hear the government and the police high command talk about 'zero tolerance' on crime but after two months, things go back to normal. What about the, "Don't block the box" campaign that was intended to clear traffic congestion at busy intersections? Even the road markings are now gone. What about the plan to restore public order in and around the Half-Way Tree area of about two years ago? Where are the much-needed security cameras that were tendered for and would have been up and running in months as was mouthed by the Minister of National Security? Please do not even mention downtown Kingston which has become a 'republic' with different "warlords" carving out their enclaves based on their rules.

Quite frankly, the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in general do not see policing as a full-time job and one wherein an officer's simple presence at a location can even deter crime. I know resources are thin but the force can do better in deploying manpower at most major intersections as the traffic police do not have to be mobile. Why is it that the average police officer is not able to quote the relevant section of the laws of the land or read persons their rights when an arrest is being made? Certain charges are now monotonous and when presented in court, are thrown out on no-case submissions. The CCN reports are now so standard that any basic school child can recite them.

Police duties, particularly patrolling, should not be confined to searching for gunmen but should encompass activities that breach public order. For example, why can't the Hunts Bay police do something about the long-standing illegal electricity connections in the vicinity of Portia Simpson Square and other nearby areas, or the vendors that occupy the sidewalk at the corner of Waltham and Hagley Park Roads, thereby forcing pedestrians to walk in the road? Moreover, what about the numerous times drivers obstruct traffic in clear view of police officers yet, they are not charged or reprimanded because they have so-called influence in society, be they DJs, drug dons or shady businessmen?

What is to be done about the numerous outstanding traffic tickets and other violations? The members of the ISCF, though zealous in their work, must be warned to use "an iron fist in a velvet glove" particularly when seizing illegal taxis. What about police officers observing sound system operators putting sound boxes on sidewalks and in the streets, yet stopping at these sessions to have a chat and drink but not reminding patrons and promoters about the Noise Abatement Act or the rights of citizens to traverse the nation's streets unimpeded? The Anti-Litter Act should not be talked about only when demonstrators are being arrested, but also when uptowners throw garbage out of their SUVs oblivious to even the police.

Isn't it high time the government, with the police hierarchy, get proactive in dealing with the myriad of social problems that afflict this society, so ordinary citizens can feel they can enjoy some basic rights in this country? There are enough laws on the books to arrest these daily breaches of public order and all that is needed is for those in authority to take their jobs seriously and enforce the laws when lawbreakers try to justify their actions by saying they are "poor people and a eat a likkle food" or "yuh nuh know seh a suh Jamaica stay."

All of us have a part to play but the government and its agencies must take the lead role to arrest this decay or the country will only descend further into chaos and anarchy, which many now believe is the order of the day.

I am, etc.,

DUDLEY I. H. McFARLANE

P.O Box 129

Kingston 20