The Editor, Sir:

I listened to Wayne Chen, president of the Jamaica Employers' Federation, in a conversation regarding hanging on the Nationwide Cover Story on November 19.

He made the point that parliamentary time could be better spent dealing with the imposition (his word) of law and order in the country rather than in accom-modating the hanging debate.

Within minutes, the validity of his point came home forcefully to me and no doubt to the many other persons travelling on the Arthur Wint Drive within the vicinity of the National Stadium.

Clearing of roadways

The breakdown of law and order in the country was very evident as a number of young men (some in vests similar to those worn by the police) fixed themselves in the roadway, or walked up and down slamming on cars and offering parking space to persons like me, tired after a hard day's work and with one aim: getting home.

This situation was exacerbated by the flag sellers, a relic of the Beijing Olympics fever. It is noteworthy that in all of this I saw two official policemen: one on Roosevelt Avenue and the other at the corner of Fairway and Seymour avenues.

I agree with Mr Chen. If we can get simple things like leaving roadways clear for the traffic, for which it is intended, we would be well on our way to a more disciplined society and in the process, we may well obviate the necessity for hanging.

I am, etc.,

LOIS GAYLE

loisegayle@yahoo.com

Coordinator, Train up a child