The Editor, Sir:

As I read the 'open letter' to the commissioner of police entitled "Jamaica Under Criminal Siege", on October 22, 2008, by a 65-year-old man who was too scared to give his name, I was filled with every possible emotion.

I love my country. I believe Jamaica is God's gift to humanity. I believe we have achieved more than could be expected of a small Caribbean nation. Yet the one thing that seems to elude us is the ability to control crime and violence in our society.

Like the author of the letter, I truly believe that more can be done to relieve our country of this terrible disease - a disease so gigantic that many times when people hear the name 'Jamaica', the first thing that they throw in your face is the murder rate, extortion at every level and the corrupt politicians. Thank God for the Olympians whose exploits in Beijing, China, deflected some of this for a while.

Discouraged

There are so many Jamaicans living abroad who would love to come back home and contribute to the economic development of our beloved country, but at what cost? Many times you hardly get past the airport as anxious criminals lie in wait to rob unsuspecting returning residents and tourists of their hard-earned money and other valuables.

I have spoken to so many Jamaicans and visitors to our island who vow never to return, each having many horrible experiences to share. From the police, who on the highway, on hearing the 'foreign' accent, ask for money when they stop vehicles, to the taxi operator who adds a little extra, just because you sound different.

Saddened

Something MUST be done urgently, or our Jamaica will be classified again (similar to Port Royal of the past) as the 'wickedest place on Earth'. We are not too far from there.

I boast about my country every day, but deep down I know how bad it is.

I might not pack up and leave, but believe me, the thought has crossed my mind many times never to return home after having worked so hard in somebody else's country to make a better life for my family.

I am, etc.,

NEBERT PRYCE

nebertpryce@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica