Dear Editor,

In previous Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administrations there was an attitude of arrogance that they were always able to curb criminal activity in the nation. Unfortunately, the JLP cannot have that last laugh this time.

Crime today, especially in Western Jamaica, has catapulted to the highest level ever, and if we continue to experience this over the next few months we are destined to become a Mexican-style anarchy where murder and mayhem is the norm.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness appears to have no answer, as are the minister of national security and the Police High Command.

What is disturbing is that there is failure to acknowledge that the monster of crime is not only as a result of lotto scamming and gang rivalry, but police corruption and white collar criminals.

Much of what is damaging our society are the hypocrisy and the connection of those who have an agenda to rise on the backs of decent, law-abiding Jamaicans.

For example, many of the policemen in this country indirectly or directly have a hand in criminal activity. We live in a society of silence so those who know rarely speak.

The JLP government will have to take drastic action to dismantle the shackles of crime, which, if continued unabated will in no time destroy our society and citizens. Now is Holness’ time to prove himself. Even if our GDP slides downward overnight, the enemy of crime has to be defeated now, and I mean now. 

The country has no time for dilly-dallying with crime and criminals. The political leaders have to crack the whip now and get action. We are not looking for fancy speeches and irrelevant plans. Our nationals need to see drastic action otherwise we will slide into anarchy.

The Jamaican people deserve to live without looking over their shoulders; they deserve better than to wake up each morning seeing the traditional media saturated with stories of death, mayhem and bloodletting. The people had exercised their democratic right and elected a conservative government; the type associated with curbing crime and keeping its politically associated gangs in check.

This time it has been a miserable failure. Prime Minister Holness please act now for God’s sake, otherwise Montego Bay and the wider St James will become worse than the 19th century American wild west.

Maurice Christie