The Editor, Sir:

Last Wednesday, we were witnesses to the unveiling of yet another 'crime plan'. This is frustrating for those among us who have done the necessary research and analysis required to come to an informed position.

The Minister is under enormous pressure - most of it from mischievous and irresponsible sources - to 'do something about the murder rate now'. As usual, whenever a Minister is at a loss for answers he usually starts chopping down people's ganja trees as if this has anything to do with crime. May I remind the Minister that each year only one per cent or two per cent of murders are listed as 'drug related' and the claim that we are shipping tons of ganja to other territories for guns is one of the greatest Anancy stories since the cow jumped over the moon. As unpalatable as this may sound to some, ganja business is why our crime rate is not higher. At present, all the ganja eradication programme is doing is forming a useful alliance between farmer and police.

This government has got to stop giving the impression that it can solve all our problems overnight. Magic wands are available only to the writers of children's stories. The challenges facing them are enormous. Most of the corruption which is sucking our very lifeblood is not as obvious and eradicable as that 'light bulb' thing. Some have become institutionalised and are even facilitated by laws that we have passed.

Causes of price increase

The people are being told that the recent price increases are a result of government policy. What is Mr. Golding doing to give a proper and credible explanation to the ordinary man who believes it when he is told by persons opposed to his regime that the increases in gas and flour is to pay election expenses.

The crime problem has been neglected for so long that people have become comfortable with th that are in place - and working. Thi system uses violence to solve all problems. People no longer have to use the expensive and meandering maze that we call a justice system. Violence is immediately and richly rewarded and the entire society has come to realise this.

Crime cannot be managed without the help of the citizenry. The Police have lost their respect and earned their distrust. Many now see them as nothing more than an irrelevant irritant.

Minister Smith has got to level with the people and let them understand that the violence we are experiencing is the result of deep, long-standing social and psychological problems which have been ignored for so long, they are now absorbed into our culture.

The Ministry of National Security has been and will continue to be the graveyard for political careers because we continue to use the police to fight a problem that is not a police problem.

I am, etc.,

GLENN TUCKER

glenntucker8@hotmail

Educator & sociologist

Stony Hill

Kingston 9