Rattray

Less than two weeks ago, Bishop Ronald Blair called for a resumption of capital punishment, among other solutions in curbing crime and violence affecting the country.

With more than 1,200 murders since January, solutions are urgently needed to tame the beast that has been assaulting the country for more than two decades.

But, while talk is aplenty, solutions seem hard to come by. Our sector leaders are willing to put forward some new ideas. Whether they are taken on-board is another matter.

Wayne Jones, president of the Jamaica Civil Service Association

The social-interventions strategies used to tackle crime have proven ineffective because they are uncoordinated. The violence-prevention work by agencies and social groups requires a greater level of coordination and that an owner should possibly be identified.

Rosemarie Wright-Pascoe, president, Medical Association of Jamaica

To lessen the fear that exists, we need to contribute much more of the budget to the administration of justice and national security. We should emphasise and expand the police force, training policemen and women to be aggressive in ways and means of solving crime. Additionally, we clearly should saturate the areas where crime is at the highest level. There also should be a zero tolerance against jungle justice.

Errol Rattray, evangelist

A fear of speaking out against acts of crime and violence has taken over our nation. People who know people who committed a murder are living in fear of speaking. So, the fear element is the major problem. How are we going to deal with this fear? We have to rally people against this fear - a national campaign - a rally - within communities. The church and business sector also need to fight the fear that clouds the nation.

Doran Dixon, president, Jamaica Teachers' Association

Dixon

Family values can't hurt, re-engaging uniform groups, social societies, youth organisations to inculcate values for children to learn to socialise on a level that is productive. The traditional family value concept of 'the village raises a child' must be renewed. Going back to basics, of loving your neighbours and your neighbours' children, sounds like a cliché, but it would help.