In support of state of emergency
Published:Saturday | July 17, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
As an ordinary and generally law-abiding Jamaican citizen, I have no problem with the limited State of Emergency that has been in effect since May 24, 2010. If the government wishes to extend it, I am in full agreement.
I have no fear of being carted off to one of the detention centres. I feel safer knowing that the police and military are on the job. Perhaps this has given me a false sense of security similar to that which we feel when we lock ourselves behind burglar bars.
The recent call by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and Families Against State Terrorism (FAST) to end the state of emergency is not surprising. It is regrettable that persons are being held in inhumane conditions and this situation should be addressed as quickly as possible. It is also unfair to be targeted because of one's address.
However, with the escalating and out-of-control crime rate in this country, I beg to differ with JFJ and FAST to end the state of emergency. It may not be a crime-fighting measure, but it sure seems to be making a difference.
Let us defend our rights as ordinary citizens to go about our business without the constant fear that we have been living in for so long. We know the police do not have all the tools to work with and are carrying out their duties under difficult conditions. We appreciate their dedication and should not judge them by the bad eggs among their numbers.
The other side
On the other hand, who speaks for me and the other 2.7 million of us who are forced to live in fear and behind closed doors? Who speaks for the man whose door, not being sturdy enough is kicked down and his life snuffed out? Who speaks for the children who are abducted and abused or killed? Who speaks for those persons who are targeted because they drive a car or live in a 'nice house and must be rich'? Who will speak for those many persons whose right to life was taken away?
I am, etc.,
Marcia Harford