One voice against criminality

THE EDITOR, Sir:

We have seen where the crime rate in Jamaica has got so out of control that the Government has to establish zones of special operations across the island. But do we want to find ourselves living in a police/military state?

The buffer between law-abiding citizens and criminals is the hard-working members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, who have been given the burdensome task of carrying water in a straw basket with their hands tied. While most of us sleep, they have to be standing like the brave with their face to the foe in a bid to make communities safe. We often hear them being criticised by naysayers, asserting that they are reactive, that they need to do more with the little resources that are afforded to them. And I can go on and on.

We now see that human rights bodies are becoming a safe haven for these criminals, to the point where they can be calling on the commissioner of police to stop his officers from 'harassing' these criminals. Police officers are duty bound to make their station areas safe for everyone who lives and operates there.

POLICE'S ROLE

The police have a responsibility to see and cause that the peace is being kept and preserved. In doing so, they will have to be proactive. Being proactive will cause criminals to be uncomfortable. One of the most dangerous things to society is a comfortable criminal because he has no fear. We can't have this happening in Jamaica; we can't have agencies fighting against the objectives of the police as if only criminals should be able to live safe and free from harm.

Human-rights bodies are to get their priorities right and conduct proper antecedents on their clients when they come to ask for assistance, lest they put their foot in their mouths again. They should be working with the police in order to make Jamaica a safe place for everyone to live, work, play, raise children, and do business.

Shamar Grant