THE EDITOR, Sir:

At the time of writing this letter, it was reported that on the tenth day of 2007, over 40 persons had been murdered. This triggered an outburst from the people, including politicians from both parties calling for immediate stiffer punishment for murderers.

From time to time over the years, high-level meetings with the authorities concerned have been held and are continuing to strategise how to tackle and extirpate this mayhem which is driving fear into people throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica.

My question is can the police alone prevent a murder from being committed? Solving such crime is dependent on us to a large extent to tell the police what we know.

My advice to the authorities is that if you want to catch a thief, do not release the information about when, where and how you plan to put it in motion.

I am, etc.,

E.N. PERKINS J.P.

P.O. Box 415

Mandeville