Dear Editor,

In the quiet afternoon of February 6, 2025, Eugene Wade left her 14-year-old daughter, Price Johnson, peacefully sleeping in their St Andrew home. Just hours later, her world would shatter upon hearing the unimaginable — Price had been brutally attacked and murdered by an intruder.

Price, a bright and beloved student at Haile Selassie High School, had her entire future ahead of her. She was a caring daughter, a devoted sister, and a friend to many. She was the kind of child who looked out for her mother, ensuring she rested after long days. But now, she is another statistic in Jamaica’s unrelenting wave of violence against children. Just weeks shy of her 15th birthday, her life was taken in an act of pure evil — molested, stabbed multiple times, and left to die.

Her mother remains in anguish, grasping for answers. “I just want everybody to comfort me, talk to me, because that’s my little girl,” she sobbed, struggling to comprehend the cruelty that stole her child away.

Price’s murder is not an isolated case; it is a grim reminder of the ongoing crisis in Jamaica, where children are increasingly falling victim to violent crime. The statistics paint a horrifying picture:

• In 2022 Jamaica recorded 1,498 murders, with children among the casualties.

• By mid-2023, 40 per cent of the 731 murders committed in Jamaica were at the hands of individuals aged 15 to 24.

• More than 30 children were murdered in the country by August 2017, a chilling number that has continued to rise.

These numbers reflect a society in distress, where even the sanctity of home is no longer a guarantee of safety. In Price’s case, the attacker reportedly tried to enter several other dwellings before forcing his way into the apartment where she slept. It raises questions: How did we get here? What can be done to prevent another mother from enduring this heartbreak?

Jamaica is at a crossroads. If we fail to act now, we will continue to bury our children, stolen by the hands of criminals who show no regard for innocence. Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach:

1) Strengthen community watch programmes: Residents must be empowered to work together, share intelligence, and create safer neighbourhoods. A stronger police presence, coupled with community engagement, can deter criminal activity.

2) Technology-driven security measures: Government and private entities should invest in surveillance systems in high-risk areas. Artificial intelligence (Al)-powered crime detection software and neighbourhood alert systems could provide early warnings and improve response times.

3) Education and youth intervention programmes: Schools must integrate emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and mentorship programmes to guide at-risk youth away from crime. Grass roots organisations should be funded to provide skills training and employment opportunities.

4) Mental health and trauma support: The Government must expand access to mental health facilities, particularly for vulnerable children and families affected by crime. Establishing crisis centres in high-risk areas could provide much-needed support.

5) Harsher penalties and swift justice: The legal system must impose severe penalties for crimes against children. The inefficiencies in the justice system, where criminals often evade accountability, must be eradicated.

Price’s murder should not be just another headline; it should be the catalyst for lasting change. Every Jamaican must recognise the urgency of this crisis and demand more from leaders, law enforcement, and each other.

As Wade mourns her daughter, she asks for comfort and understanding. But more than that, she deserves justice. Price’s name should never be forgotten, and her story should ignite a national movement against the scourge of violence gripping Jamaica.

How many more children must we lose before we say enough?

Janiel McEwan

janielmcewan17@gmail.com