THE EDITOR, Sir:
SINCE THE beginning of the year the parish of St. James and particularly the city of Montego Bay, has been in the news almost daily for the wrong reason the proliferation of serious crimes in the island's second city.
I cannot fathom how a great little city such as MoBay, the Mecca of Jamaica's tourism industry, has become one of the highest crime ridden cities in Jamaica, rivalling the likes of Kingston and Spanish Town.
What I found more appalling were the number of homicides that have occurred since the start of the year. Up to the time of this letter, almost 90 people have lost their lives with the majority killed by guns. It's very shameful for someone like me who is living abroad to see these negatives headlines all over the Internet about how dangerous the city of Montego Bay has become.
Although I've tried to persuade some of my many colleagues and friends that MoBay is indeed a safe place to visit, many are not buying it because they fear that they may become a victim. Instead they opted for Cuba to bask in the Caribbean sun.
I congratulate the business community for their effort to win back the communities from the thugs. However, the police need the help of the citizens in the communities that are directly affected. Without the help of these residents the police will not be as effective.
Remember tourism is what drives the local economy, without it the city is doomed.
I am, etc.,
CONROD TUCKER
conrod.tucker@sympatico.ca
