The Editor, Sir:

The crisis of crime in Jamaica has reached a level that is unbearable and frightening. The situation is so severe that committed and patriotic Jamaicans are contemplating their future existence. The threatening crimes have affected all sectors and classes of the society and this is a major hindrance to development, which is essential for the survival of growing economies.

The solution to the escalating crime should be a multi-faceted approach, which will help significantly in reducing crime immediately and in the future. The Government is taking proactive steps in increasing police presence which is commendable, but the first recommendation is a rapid and decisive response approach.

The most significant crime is homicide. This involves both innocent people and those who are involved in illegal operations. Whenever a murder is committed, immediately after receiving the report, the police station should notify all the surrounding posts and checkpoints should be set up on roads leading out of the affected area.

A significant number of police and military personnel should be dispatched into the area. Intense searching and investigation should be done in the neighbourhood to identify the perpetrators of the crime. Police officers along with military personnel should be assigned as rapid response officers and they should be available for dispatch whenever a murder is committed. In rough terrain, the increase in security personnel should be supported by a helicopter scanning the entire area. This drastic and decisive action will give valuable information resulting in the arrest of killers and law-breakers.

Although it is important to implement policies and procedures to prevent crime, equally important in Jamaica's situation is to catch the instigators and perpetrators.

Compensating informants

Another urgent action is to significantly increase the reward for information leading to the recovery of illegal weapons or information leading to the arrest of criminals who have committed murder.

The Government must be prepared to increase its spending on security to stem this escalating crime. Government officials need to speak with a strong voice publicly, informing the criminals that they will be apprehended and assuring the public that the Government/police are in control and will be providing them with a safe environment to live.

The Government at no time should be seen as being silent on the monster of crime. Weekly progress success in the apprehension of killers should be published by government officials and criminals will be discouraged from committing crimes because they will know that they will be apprehended. Regular amnesty periods should be announced for individuals who are in possession of illegal weapons. Upon compliance, counselling sessions should be offered and opportunities provided for training and involvement in legitimate economic opportunities.

This multi-faceted approach, along with current strategies, should yield considerable success and provide a safer and stable environment for the citizens of Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

PAUL GYLES (Dr)

Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences

Northern Caribbean University

Mandeville