Dear Editor,

Despite every effort tried so far by the security forces, murders most horrible continue unabated. The fact is that Jamaica is at war with ruthless criminals who are brazen in their activity because there is every chance that they will get away with their foul acts. Are we going to allow them to continue to create mayhem on our society? We must stop them.

Mr Michael Lee-Chin has committed himself to increasing our rate of growth to five per cent in the next four years, a target which we all pray will be achieved as we are aware of what this will mean for our nation. But if these nefarious activities cannot be greatly reduced, there is a fat chance that his target may not be achieved.

Our government has to be pragmatic and realise that the efforts made so far are not working, and take positive action, no matter how drastic, to address the problem.

I recommend that the following three strategies be implemented or augmented where already in place, as a priority, and funds put in place to address them.

1) The apprehension of criminals must be made more effective by the installation of CCTV surveillance cameras in strategic locations. The police be made more mobile, and a message sent out to the women (mothers, sisters, baby mothers, etc) in known areas infested with criminal gangs that it’s no use howling for justice when their men are killed if they continue to provide shelter for their men who they know have guns. Because, as night follows day, their men will eventually be killed by members of their own gangs, or by gunmen from other gangs, or by a licensed gun holder in self-defence.

This message should be hammered into their heads. They must find ways to report criminal activity to the police, their religious leader, or their member of parliament without fear of detection.

2) Ways must be found to stop guns getting into the island. Installation of x-ray equipment in the Customs Department and all ports of entry must be done, and increased surveillance of our coastal waters by air and sea patrol effected. Use of metal detectors could be effective in some situations.

3) Apparently hanging, which despite arguments to the contrary I feel would be a deterrent to murder, seems not to be legally possible. What then? I say bring back the ‘Cat o’ nine’ and don’t let the bleating of bleeding hearts deter its introduction. Let us be serious about effectively addressing the problem.

Our nation’s very survival is at stake, and a good flogging followed by a shortened period of detention with a warning that if, when released, any further crime is committed, the punishment will be more severe, will be an even more effective deterrent than hanging, and, I feel, more acceptable.

Applying these three strategies as a major thrust will certainly greatly reduce crime, and, no matter what the cost, funds must be found to implement them, so that at long last this horrible scourge will be rooted out of our beloved country.

If positive effective action is not now taken, we will be agonising about what to do as the years slip by, and crime will continue unabated.

A concerned citizen