Dear Editor,

It is ironic how we have failed to tame the crime monster, having so many bright minds sitting at the head of our decision tables.

Something seems to be wrong with our thinking or in the way we go about putting things in place to put the brakes on crime, instead of solving it. Truth is, if we keep running after crime we will never catch up with it and it doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon.

I am not here professing to be any expert on how to tame this monster; however, it is my humble belief that we are nowhere near getting there. The way we go about doing things here in Jamaica seems, to me, the unorthodox way. We are doing very little in prevention.

Jamaica is among the leading countries in this hemisphere overloaded with young, bright and educated people. They can be found in all departments of government and the private sector across the length and breadth of this blessed little island, Jamaica. Why, why then can’t we get it right?

One of our main problems is that we are quick to jump when some foreigner tells us what we should or should not do, and we pay scant regard to our own people’s ideas. Although many don’t possess university degrees, we know what truly goes on at the community level, and if we don’t tell the relevant authorities, they will not know. We are the ones facing the hostile music day and night.

Just the other day a proposal was sent to the police high command requesting dialogue with the police, the public utility companies, the ministers’ fraternity, the chamber of commerce, service clubs, among others. The aim is to go into some of the troubled communities and have an open community public forum. Through these community forums, residents could get the chance to openly express themselves about what goes on in their respective communities. Having done so, they would be more relieved going forward without fear and intimidation. On completion of these open forums, the residents, the police, and the utility establishments would better understand what goes on behind those once fenced communities. All the parties would be in a much better position to share information on any wrongdoing.

A phone call is all it takes sometimes to prevent mayhem and anarchy, or solve some crime mysteries. We the people can help to prevent any further hostilities. I am saddened when my request was ignored, but such if life. He who plays by the rules gets shafted.

Luther A Irving

Montego Bay

St James