THE EDITOR, Sir:

NO COUNTRY can expect to prosper unless it can create and sustain an acceptable sense of order. We, therefore, need a sense of order to complement the national crime plan.

It now seems clear that for the first time, Jamaica has got a police commissioner that not only talks, but also acts. This country is not short of the technical knowledge for identifying problems; what we generally lack is the political and administrative will and vision to propose and implement the appropriate recommendations and/or policy proposals.

The job of commissioner is a very difficult job requiring resources and priorities. Take any 10 Jamaicans from anywhere, and ask them to advise the commissioner as to what the top six items on his list of priorities should be. The probability is that those 10 persons are going to come up with different priorities. The commissioner has started well in looking not only externally, but internally (at his own organisation) as well. So far, he has also proposed and implemented some operational changes in the force.

Suggestions for crime plan

Because of the difficult crime environment, the commissioner has been forced to focus on hard crimes (an emphasis on obedience to law). I am, however, proposing that this be combined with a greater focus also on order. The first responsibility for any government, anywhere, is to provide an acceptable level of law and order for its citizens. I am, therefore, suggesting the following to complement the existing crime plan:

(1) Enforce the Noise Abatement Act. This country is getting louder and louder everywhere, even in the country parts. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) must, therefore, fully enforce this act, not only for residents in certain areas, but every community in Jamaica.

(2) Enforce the road traffic laws starting with public passenger vehicles. The operators of public transportation are undoubtedly the most indisciplined of all our motorists.

(3) Emphasise the use of pedestrian crossings. It is not uncommon for pedestrians and students to ignore a pedestrian crossing that is sometimes only a few feet away from where they had crossed. It is also not unusual for the markings on these crossings to be worn and almost invisible.

(4) Remove musical instruments from public passenger vehicles. There can be no doubt that certain kinds of music are having a negative impact on our students.

The Government needs to promote a greater sense of order in every sphere in order to achieve wealth, prosperity, pro-social values and a meaningful reduction in the crime rate. So, over to the leadership of the JCF and the Government of Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

CECIL JOHNSON

butrasburtras@yahoo.com

Lorrimers P.O. Trelawny