Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Observer reported the seizure of a gun from a 15-year-old girl and that this led to the seizure of 53 rounds of ammunition and the arrest of her 25-year-old brother. This modus operandi for individuals using females to transport guns/contraband or to simply hide them, as they are less likely to be searched by the police, is not new.

I note, though, that in this case, because “the girl was observed acting suspiciously”, it was discovered. This may be from a lack of experience on her part; it was not that police intelligence was on top of its game. Still, good job; multiple lives may have been saved.

Many times the families have to pay for all the ‘losses’, even though it is the police who seized the weapon. In some cases the family gets as little as three days to “buy it back” or die. Oftentimes it is a lot of money for a poor family to find; plus they will have to pay legal fees for their incarcerated loved one. Just imagine the street value of 53 rounds and a gun, as in this case.

The lesson here is that crime is a dangerous business. It’s better people go after an education which gives everyone a chance to fly away from an environment of criminal activities and a life of crime.

Michael Spence

Liguanea PO

micspen2@hotmail.com