NOTEWORTHY
Published:Friday | July 23, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Continuous vigilance
It is a burning shame that the Jamaican legislators failed to arrive at a consensus to extend the state of emergency in that troubled island. In view of the fact that Jamaica has been traumatised by acute criminality for decades, it is not too much to say that every day should be a state-of-emergency day.
If this were the case, I am confident that there would be a significant decline in the crime rate. To achieve this objective the crime-prevention antenna shou,ld be in full operation 24 hours a day. There should never be a safe haven for criminals, and potential criminals, anywhere on the island.
Continuous vigilance is the key component here.
To accomplish their task, all law-enforcement agencies should not only coordinate their efforts, they should also work with the various communities at large. In this respect, trust, not brute force, is the most important ingredient in the overall operation of crime prevention.
To suspend the state of emergency at this particular time sends the wrong signal to criminals, and potential criminals, in the Jamaican society.
Rupert Johnson
Sabotage
It is beyond my understanding why the People's National Party would take an action, which would effectively sabotage the crime-fighting measures the country is using to record the first sign of reduction in murders in years.
How could they be so self-centred and egotistic. I am very disappointed in what they have done. I believe it shows a lack of understanding of what are the core issues affecting Jamaicans and how Jamaicans prioritise these issues.
Any chance at improving the murder rate in the country should be embraced by all the stakeholders in the interest of the country. This should come first. The ego of the PNP must come after this, in priority. Do they not understand this basic principle?
Ian Boyd-Brown
Beverly P.A.
St Ann