The Editor, Sir:

Hitherto this year I'd always wholeheartedly support the annual show Reggae Sumfest, as it showcases Jamaica's musical talent and our uniqueness. We know it is a premier tourism product as it brings in well needed foreign exchange that helps to bolster our ailing economy. However this year, I am in disagreement with the imprimatur granted to the organisers to hold the shows well beyond the 2am legal stop time for night sessions of this nature. The rule should not have been changed or stretched to accommodate this event. The laws should stand!

One of the main contributors to this culture of lawlessness and seemingly brazen indifference to law and order facing our country is the continual cutting someone some slack or giving them a 'bly' when they do not want to conform to the rules or when an offence has been committed. What happens (indeed what has happened,) is that things get out of hand and we lose control. The zero-tolerance of which the Police Commissioner speaks is therefore a joke and shows that we are not serious about taming the crime monster.

Rebellious group

Not only does bending the rules tend to foster further indiscipline, but this apparent show of favouritism and bias seeks to foment more resentment and rebelliousness by the group that sees itself as being marginalised or victimised.

The promoters/organisers of the dancehall sessions and the communities in which they are held benefit from these sessions as these are sources of income for all involved.

Yes we need tourism but we also need to pander to the needs and welfare of ALL our citizens.

The organisers of Reggae Sumfest should have decided to start the shows at an earlier time so that they can end promptly at 2 a.m. They even had the audacity to threaten to cancel the shows if they were forced to abide by the law. Are they above the law?

I am, etc.,

J. BORELAND

jirmz@yahoo.co.uk