THE EDITOR, Sir:
CRIME IN Jamaica is at a dismal, unbelievable and unacceptable high rate. Jamaica is regarded as the second most violent country in the world on a basis of per capita death. This year we have once again set a new record for the bloodiest year ever on the island. In fact the murder aggregate for the entire year has not dipped below the one thousand mark for as long as I can remember.
Those involved in these crimes, both as perpetrators and as victims, are the talented promising young men of the citizenship of Jamaica. This does not augur well for a decent future. I sincerely hope that the best results will be realised for Dr. Phillips and this 'Operation Kingfish'.
What is needed in my own opinion is a well structured, well funded, well supported, systematic, quantitative, result-orientated research conducted on the society of Jamaica to find out why is it that so many people are being killed. This study should reveal what is it about Jamaica and Jamaicans that make us want to kill each other over a simple disagreement.
What is it about how parents raise their young men that makes them feel that if someone steps on their foot in a crowded bus that persons deserve to die and they have the right to kill them? Why men think that the law is in their own hands and they must function as the judge, jury and the executioner? Is it the way our families are operated, the way we parent our children?
Is it a political problem, do politicians incite crime and violence among us? Is the Church not doing something, or is it doing something wrong? Is our education system in dire need of restructuring and reorganising? Is there something wrong with the media and how they do their work? Does the problem lie in the workplace, do bosses and employers have role to play in the crime reduction process?
When should this study be done? I suggest that mechanisms be set in place now to get if off the ground because time is running out, for me and for you, reader. Remember, it is not the same persons that are being killed every year; who can tell when it will be me or when it will be you?
I am, etc.,
JADE FRAY
jadefray@yahoo.com
Faculty of Humanities and
Education
UWI Mona
19A August Town Road
Kingston 7
Via Go-Jamaica
