THE EDITOR, Sir:DON ROBOTHAM wrote an article on November 17, 2002 and I think that the Government and people of Jamaica need to take the suggestions seriously.
We need to regain history and face reality. I don't mean to go back to the era of the haves and the have-nots, but to a country of stability and economic growth. A state of emergency is a drastic measure, but crime and violence is a complex and destructive cancer and we should approach it as such. I don't support suspending the rights of citizens because such actions set bad precedence.
However, a state of emergency seems to be our only alternative given the escalation in the murders over the past couple of years. Getting machines to scan for guns is a little late. The guns are already in the hands of the vicious gunmen, so we need to get them out of their hands. We needed the voices of ordinary people to speak out and let the decision-makers know that they are fed up.
Contrary to popular belief, the voice of the ordinary man shapes his country.
I am challenging my fellow Jamaicans to speak out against crime and violence and stop being passive. Do we want to become the next Bogota where armed guards have to escort us to the market or to a concert?
I don't believe so. Get active Jamaicans, rich, poor, employed and unemployed.
I am, etc.,
SHARON HAYLETT
shahay5@aol.com
Ohio
Via Go-Jamaica
