The Editor, Sir:

In terms of homicide, we might have just concluded the bloodiest year in our history. Everybody is hoping for a substantial decrease in homicide in 2008 and the years ahead but I wonder if our expectations are properly placed when so much emphasis is placed on the Minister of Security.

For many years every Minister of Security has been expected to bring the crime under control single-handedly. Of course, none of them did, and as the current minister is finding out the overcoming of crime involves much more than what any Minister of Security can bring to the table.

It is a fact that the hydra-headed monster called crime falls under the portfolio of the Minister of Security, but have we ever stopped to identify the impact of other portfolios on the root causes of crime and the patent failures of the society's effort to apprehend, convict, punish or reform those whose transgression of the laws make the life of the society miserable?

We have either ignored or seriously underestimated

The contribution that our materialistic value system is making to the level and viciousness of the crimes being committed in the society.

The failure of the system to execute convicted murderers as our laws prescribe is a major contributor to the erosion of confidence in the justice system leading to over 20 per cent of our homicides to be classified as 'reprisal' killings.

The adverse effect of an overloaded primary and secondary school systems combined with very unsuitable 'home' environment for many of the students.

The 'anti-informer' culture which is very strong within the society

The public's perception or reality that the police represents 'Babylon'; a source of oppression.

The strong public feeling that the law only applies to the poor and weak; those who are bad enough or rich enough will never be punished for any crime they may commit.

There is an erroneous evaluation in official circles of the comparative worth of forensic gadgets and public confidence and cooperation in the solution of crime. Let it not be misinterpreted that I am advocating against forensic gadgets but one pound of public cooperation is worth more than a ton of forensic gadgets.

The coarseness, the downright rudeness and lack of respect shown to the average citizen by far too many police officers do a lot to foster non co-operation from many law-abiding citizens. Far too many decent people have unfortunate experiences with the police.

Police statements

Their experience goes a long way in making it difficult to believe a police statement unless the particular police officer is known to the hearer.

I often wonder if anyone has ever tried to check how many people have been killed because of police making statements such as, "Acting upon information the police carried out a raid at premises X". Would it not be good enough to say "the police carried out a raid on premises X"?

When the statistics trend in the wrong direction as they have done so many times before, Minister Smith will be blamed; just like all his predecessors were. Not that he should be but others will do to him just like he and others did to his predecessors.

Significant impact on crime in general and murder in particular calls for a change in our value system.

Trusted police force

We need to propagate a culture of forgiveness and violence-free conflict resolution. Develop a trusted police force that gives and gets respect from the people they serve.

Citizens need to have respect for the law and have confidence that justice will be meted out by the society.

We need to recognise that our crime problem is more systemic than some jobs and some forensic gadgets can cure.

I am, etc.,

LUCIUS C. WHITE

Tankerville Avenue

Kingston 6