Dear Editor,

The recent spate of vigilante killings is reprehensible and is symptomic of the larger issue of disorder and chronic indiscipline so pervasive in the island. Imagine that someone merely has to be suspected of committing an offence, and the so-called offender is sought and if not found, any relative of his is set upon by a mob and slaughterd as in the recent case of Donovan Hazley in Trelawny.

How is this situation any different from what took place in Rwanda in 1998, except in scale and motivation? Are we, as a supposedly civilised society, going to wait until the situation reaches the level of what happened in Rwanda, before we say enough is enough?

I believe the time has certainly come when we have to call upon our leaders, both in government and the wider community, to speak out in a chorus of condemnation. The government must take strong actions to cauterise the situation before it gets further out of control.

We could start by speaking out about the people who believe they have the right to block the public thoroughfare and intimidate people going about their lawful business. This classic case of seemingly innocent mob rule in the name of demanding justice for some perceived violations of their God-given rights to potable water and pristine asphalt roads in their respective communities has developed into the kind of heinous acts we now see. I venture to say that if we had killed the crocodile in the egg, as it relates to crime and other signs of disorder, we would not have to face the dilemma that now confronts us.

Winston Barrett

Manor Park

Kingston 8

winstonbarrett1654@gmail.com