The Editor, Sir:

On reading The Gleaner today, November 30, and seeing the gripping story of the shooting of the assistant commissioner of police in Irish Town, I was led to wonder what is going to become of Jamaica in 10 years' time.

If every year more than 1,000 people are being killed, apart from those who die naturally, not many people will be left in the country to maintain the economy. It is sad that our beautiful island has to come to this. As a Jamaican living abroad it was my dream to come back to my country to help with the rebuilding, but with the state the country is in there is no way I will be coming back there, surely not now and maybe not for a very long time.

The Government needs help in the fight against these criminals and I think it's time they seek outside help. It is a shame that I should be afraid to return to the country of my birth.

The Government should close down the wharves and carry out a rigorous search and when they are re-opened, security should be very tight. I am saddened to be reading these sickening news daily. Crime is everywhere but Jamaica is too small to be labelled one of the worst places on Earth to live.

I am, etc.,

Angry Jamaican

ghanaa2@yahoo.co.uk

Birmingham, U.K.