The Editor, Sir:

As a former Jamaican detective and now a serving member of the British police force, I am compelled to beg the Government to invest heavily in closed-circuit cameras in an effort to catch the gunmen and hoodlums who are creating mayhem and destruction on the society. As a sergeant of police in Great Britain, I and my officers, rely sometimes solely on CCTV to solve crimes which are miniscule to those being perpe-trated in Jamaica.

Great Britain is a country renowned for having the most covert and open cameras in the world, however, there is not as high a crime rate here as in Jamaica. We hardly carry guns here, yet the criminals are fearful of our techniques in nabbing them. The success rate cannot be overlooked as just being lucky but as a system to be reckoned with.

Investment

This brings me to the heart of what I want to bring across. Mr MacMillan, while considering your many options geared towards the fight against crime, try considering investing in CCTVs. These cameras should not be placed for public recognisance but in and around the areas that are prone to problems. As time goes by, the scheme can be rolled out across the country.

Legislation can then be put in place to safeguard the rights and privacy of citizens and prevent unwarranted intrusions and abuse.I love Jamaica too much to not make an imput in the crime- fighting effort. I am still planning to spend my retirement years there.

I am, etc.,

NIGER MINOTT

Niger.minott@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica