The Editor, Sir:

One of the largest orange farms in Jamaica had a serious case of praedial larceny, with thieves stealing the oranges on a nightly basis by the truckloads. The management and some close friends got together and worked out a plan to stop the robberies. Today, robberies from that property are limited to a few people who walk by and pick a few oranges. The management did not close the factory.

What if I were exporting mangoes and people started to complain that the mango trees on their properties were being raided and sold for export, should I agree to the suspension of all mango exports to solve the problem?

Out of ideas

I think our leaders have run out of ideas on how to deal with the real cause of this situation and are acting without thinking.

The editorial in today's edition of The Gleaner, October 31, 2007, asked the question 'Is there a Minister in the House?' and I totally agree.

Mr. Karl Samuda and his government have to sit down and work out a plan on how to deal with the crime problem and not penalise the livelihood of genuine exporters of scrap metal and their employees by starving them to deprive a few criminals. This Cabinet needs to wheel and come again.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL DUNN

micberd@yahoo.com

Florida

Via Go-Jamaica