Dear Editor,

2018 has been an extraordinary year, particularly for Jamaicans. The year will forever be remembered as the period in which tables started to turn on criminals in Jamaica, as our Government strengthened outdated anti-crime laws and step-up crime-fighting techniques.

As we welcome the New Year 2019 with high expectations and a fresh sense of hope, this is a good time to analyze not just the achievements accomplished or the progress we have made over the past year, but also the many challenges, disappointments and setbacks we have encountered along the way.

It’s early days yet, but we cannot dispute the fact that our security forces have made great strides, in apprehending and charging some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, since new crime fighting measures were implemented.

Although we’ve had only a slight decline, in the number of murders committed in the country in 2018, we can honestly say that our Government’s zero-tolerance approach to crime and corruption, and the tremendous efforts by our security forces is starting to reap positive results.

As the year 2018 comes to a close and we usher in the New Year, let us refrain from negative practices which continue to destroy the dignity of our country.

Let 2019 be the year in which we move collectively and resolutely forward for a safer, loving and progressive Jamaica.

I wish everyone a year filled with good health, peace and prosperity.

Norma Newel