Dear Editor,

I refer to the letter in the Jamaica Observer of September 28, 2012, “Leaders seem oblivious to Jamaica’s nightmare”. I agree that Jamaica needs to wake up, but not in the way writer Gavin Jord stated it.

I believe people need to be more aware of their surroundings, try to be more protective of themselves and others. Even if you are in your house, it is important to take necessary precautions. There is so much that the government and law enforcement can do, but we all need to do our part.

People are not speaking out, and it is ridiculous when you blame the world and everyone around you, except yourselves. Whether it is rape, murder, corruption, lotto scammers, sex offenders, and the many other criminal elements people know about, many keep quiet. So no matter how hard the crime fighters work, silence from the community will not help. At the end of the day if people are not cooperating, how can these crimes be solved? After all, we do not want only a decrease in the problem but eradication, so people must not be afraid to talk up.

The media also play a part in this, especially the radio talk-show programmes. There are so many cases to be discussed such as pregnant women being killed, the little boys allegedly raped, the mob killings and the rape of the five females, including an eight-year-old.

These talk shows blow up the airwaves politicising everything – who needs to step down from who needs to lead; and they go on and on, tracing on the radio. After a new incident occurs the previous one is forgotten. What about the molestation of the 11-year-old girl by her grand-uncle? You hardly hear anyone discussing that.

Yes, Jamaicans, we need to wake up, take charge of ourselves and be good citizens. Mothers, girlfriends, wives, husbands, everyone who knows something must talk up, and they shouldn’t remain oblivious to wrongdoing. It is very difficult for law enforcement to help if you are selfish and think only about yourselves. Everyone is in fear for their children, whether it’s a little girl or boy; but if you can’t help someone else’s child nobody will help yours.

Alexcia Sommerville

alexcia.sommerville@gmail.com