The Gleaner's 'Roll Out' moves into Clarendon tomorrow. One of the features of the event will be an Editors' Forum to air views on some of the issues in the parish like crime. Yesterday, a Gleaner team hit the streets of May Pen and asked:

"What do you think is the reason for the high crime rate in Clarendon?"

Kerrian Mahabeer

Student , 21

"Illiteracy is a major factor causing unemployment which results in a lot of the youth not being able to be employed so they choose crime as an alternative."

Muriel Clair

Businesswoman

"Lack of employment and social intervention in Clarendon are the main reasons for crime in the parish. Because the youth feel they are neglected, they try to gain attention in other ways which are dangerous to society."

Claudine Williams

Shopkeeper, 32

"Too many idlers are on the streets for so many reasons and their needs and wants force them to resort to crime in order to survive."

Nicole Thompson

Sales represenatative, 29

"Poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and lack of parental guidance among youth are the main reasons for the high levels of crime in Clarendon."

Michelle Spencer

Merchandiser, 34

"I think that a lack of jobs and good parenting are the main factors contributing to the rising crime statistics in the parish."

Dian Fergunson

Merchandiser, 40

"I think we are really far from God as a parish so there is no love among us and this is why the levels of crime keep escalating."

Keith Fearon

Pastor, 37

"Not enough love for God, unemployment and illiteracy are the major factors contributing to Clarendon's high crime rate."