THE EDITOR, Sir:I WELCOME the Garth Rattray column, 'A police success story', published on Tuesday, January 25, as I encourage thorough analysis and debate of the very serious problem of crime and violence to facilitate expanded societal involvement in the issue and how we can bring it under control.
However, there is one point that I wish to clarify. I noted that the third paragraph refers to the fact that the St. Andrew Southern Police Division has experienced 20 per cent of murders islandwide, and that I represent one of the four constituencies covered by this division.
I wish to point out that, of the 242 murders committed in the division last year, North West St. Andrew, which I represent in the House of Representatives, is responsible for only eight six in Maverley and two in Pembroke Hall.
Please understand that this is no vindication of the constituency: eight murders in any area is certainly eight murders too many.
However, I felt that I needed to point out that fact for accuracy, as well as in commendation of the efforts by the police, the people of my constituency and the various civic bodies involved in limiting murders as much as possible.
I commend the fine and able policemen and women of the SAS for the job they have been doing, and I commend the vast majority of people of North West St. Andrew who seek to iron out their differences in more civilised ways.
We in North West St. Andrew are committed to cooperating fully with the police in this effort, and hope that other areas will follow this example and let us all work together to reduce the incidents of murder which have been totting up to record numbers so far this year.
I am, etc.,
DERRICK C. SMITH
Member of Parliament
North West St. Andrew
Opposition Spokesman
on National Security
