For the first three months of this year, 45 American soldiers were killed in Iraq. The figure for Afghanistan was much lower. During the same period, 345 persons were murdered in Jamaica. Based on these statistics, one can conclude that chances of someone getting killed in Jamaica is significantly greater than an American soldier getting killed in either war-torn Iraq or Afghanistan.

A fundamental responsibility of any government is the protection of its citizens. In this regard, Jamaica's leadership over the years has failed miserably.

How can a relatively small country such as Jamaica have so many murders? Countries with ten times Jamaica's population boast fewer murders annually. Many of these countries encounter similar socio-economic barriers as Jamaica but their crime rates are much lower.

The cycle continues

How can the nation grow economically with such a horrendous crime rate? Multinational companies will only invest in countries where its citizens have a high rate of productivity. How can Jamaicans be productive when their safety and security is so compromised? As the country loses out on these potential investments, fewer people get hired. A lack of employment sometimes leads to crime and the cycle continues.

Crime also affects education. When children are not sure about the safety of their environment, they generally experience difficulty learning. An uneducated population is a problematic population. Many are unemployable and some resort to criminal activities.

Catastrophic

Crime's impact on health care is also catastrophic. An inordinate amount of health-care funds is used to treat perpetrators and victims of crime. This affects the truly sick who suffer because of a lack of hospital beds.

The Government of Jamaica needs to understand that Jamaica will always be a poor, undeveloped, backward nation unless the monster of crime is tackled and beaten. It can be done but it takes a firm commitment, first and foremost from its leaders. It is time for Jamaica to release itself from the shackles of crime and find its true place among the progressive nations of the world.

I am, etc.,

RANDY VASELLI

RVasse5@optonline.net

Brooklyn, New York