The Editor, Sir:

Now that the Lower House, by conscience vote, has chosen to retain the death penalty, could that same House now tell us how it plans to catch the criminals to have them executed?

Certainly, everyone knows the police have been doing a poor job, so far, in catching criminals.

Poor policing

The records speak for themselves. Such a poor job that ordinary citizens are afraid to come forward to give evidence of any wrongdoing they might have witnessed.

I hope the politicians know that the citizens of this country are not so foolish to believe that since the death penalty is still on the books, all our problems are solved. They will not be solved until the perpetrators of crime (whoever they might be, regardless of status) in Jamaica are captured and subjected to the appropriate laws.

The norm

We have suffered long enough. Our name, once held in such high esteem, has been tarnished, internationally, long enough. In Jamaica, being a criminal is not the norm - even though it might appear so. Being a law-abiding citizen is the norm.

It is high time to get back to good values and attitudes that characterised Jamaica in the '60s and early '70s (I can only speak of the days I know about). The politicians need to lead the way.

Again, how effective will the death penalty be, if the criminals are still at large?

I am, etc.,

NEBERT PRYCE

nebertpryce@yahoo.com