Support police and army to fight crime

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing with reference to the letter to the editor titled ‘Plea for a crime free new year’, written by Leroy Fearon, Jr, on December 27. He wrote: “The year ahead holds promises of new beginnings, growth, and prosperity, but these aspirations can only be fully realised in an atmosphere of safety and security. Jamaica, like many other nations, has faced its share of challenges when it comes to crime.”

I fully concur with Fearon, Jr. It is imperative that we the Jamaican people once and for all firmly take a serious, stern and no-nonsense stance against the vast levels of crimes taking place all across the country. The status quo must change, for being a police informer within a responsible, prudent, and sagacious way is undoubtedly a positive and good thing, to put it bluntly. All citizens need to understand, recognise, and intrinsically appreciate that we have a direct responsibility to report to the police and or the army, relating to any crime that is taking place within our observation, information, and knowledge. For the security forces can only be successful in addressing the country’s crime problems with the assistance of the citizens. Do not wait until the crime reaches your doorstep before you begin to cooperate with the police.

The majority of police officers in this country are decent, respectable, upright, loyal, honest and professional men and women, and they need the full support of the people. Very often, our own actions, conduct and behaviour determine the response of the police officers, and we need to, at all times, show them respect, encourage them, and show them that we care about them and their families. They have a very difficult job to perform, they are risking their lives to serve and protect, and they deserve our constant respect.

Jamaica is fortunate to have serving at this time Police Commissioner Antony Anderson and senior high command officers such as Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, McArthur Sutherland, DCP Fitz Bailey, DCP Clifford Blake, DCP Richard Stewart, DCP Kevin Blake, and ACP Clifford Chambers, among others. They are all hard-working, professional, dedicated and highly experienced senior members of the Police High Command.

Let us salute them and give them our comprehensive support as a country. With the support of every single Jamaican citizen of the police and army, the New Year 2024 can be a year of positive change where a significant reduction in crime can happen.

Let us have a New Year 2024 with a much lower crime rate.

ROBERT DALLEY

Montego Bay

robertdalleyrgmail.com