The Editor, Sir:

Jamaica's culture of crime is a larger, social problem and will take more than police action to solve. We should recognise and realise where this culture of violence originated. In the 1970s, residents were armed, producing 'garrison communities' where gangs controlled the streets on behalf of politicians and marshalled voters at election time.

By the early 1980s, many gangs became involved in cocaine and marijuana smuggling as Jamaica developed into a trans-shipment point for drug trafficking to the United States. With money of their own, they no longer needed the politicians and began to operate independently.

Now, Jamaica has become a trans-shipment port for Colombian cocaine. A lot of the cocaine gets smuggled out into the islands and sold. Drug smugglers from Haiti trade sophisticated guns for marijuana and cocaine, and thus, the island is flooded with guns. Unless a great deal more is done to protect Jamaica's borders and the vast lowlands that allow for planes filled with guns and cocaine to land, then any method or action taken to rid the country of violence is pointless.

We also need to know and understand that improving the economy, combating joblessness and cleaning up politics would aid in the fight against crime because they intertwine. We also need to reform the security forces, weeding out the bad seeds, as well as increasing their salaries, so as to eliminate criminal contamination. Plus, prosecute those found guilty more severely and quickly. These include drug dons, drug smugglers, gun dealers, corrupted police, corrupted politicians and any who stand to carry down the Jamaica people.

I am, etc.,

MAURICE DUNCAN

chubbyzeeks@yahoo.com

Orlando, Fl.

Via Go-Jamaica