The Editor, Sir:

I am deeply saddened at the level of crime and violence that has overtaken this beautiful land of ours. The criminals of this land are cold and heartless. The total lack of regard for life, especially of those who have sworn to serve and protect us should cause us to awake from our slumber. It cannot be business as usual anymore.

It is time for the Government to realise that it does not have all the answers to crime and violence in this country. The solution will not come from a piecemeal approach. It is time to sit down and come up with a comprehensive, multi-faceted crime plan. It's not a matter of simply calling out the army and the police.

Approach to take

A multifaceted approach is needed. First, there must be the will to deal with the problem. Then the various issues that contribute to crime must be looked at and dealt with. This must be done in collaboration with the Government, the Church, the media, the education system, government and private organisations and society as a whole.

Traditionally crime fighting has been thought of as simply providing more police personnel or better resources as well as providing jobs for the idle young men on the corner.

I believe crime fighting should go beyond these measures as other important medium- and long-term issues be looked at, hence the inclusion of other organisations in the effort. Other important issues that need to be addressed include the breakdown in family life, education, values and attitudes, the entertainment industry, especially music which glorifies the gun and the 'gangsta' lifestyle, immorality and general breakdown of discipline, law and order in the society. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

If these things are taken into account, I believe we will see a better Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

A CONCERNED JAMAICAN