If we don't make Jamaica a place safe for all of us to live, it will not be a safe place for any of us to live.

All persons of goodwill who live, work, do business in or who just love Jamaica must be saddened by the brutal, seemingly unnecessary and senseless killing of British consul to western Jamaica, John Terry. One more nail in the coffin as we continue to self-destruct and prepare for interment, burying, finally, the hopes, dreams and aspirations of committed, patriotic, decent and hard-working Jamaicans residing on the island or in the Diaspora.

With every murder committed and especially the murder of high-profile foreign nationals whose slaying will be carried by the overseas media, one is forced to ask the question, is this the final nail?

The criminal elements of our society, believed to be the fastest-growing demographic in the last decade, are apparently in total control of our roads as the security forces have apparently ceded control to them, being more concerned with speeding violations ... mostly? They (criminal malcontents) are convinced that they can deliver their demonic mandate to wreak havoc on our society with impunity since we successfully prosecute about 30 per cent of all crimes committed.

THE WAY FORWARD

In our continued attempt to contain, if not curtail unrelenting criminality in this country, we must revisit our methodology with a view to revamping and exploring new, hitherto untried strategies including the spiritual. Insanity, it is said, is to continue doing things the same old way and expect new and different results.

Our national security minister, Dwight Nelson, a decent and good man, brings to the job the wherewithal to effectively repel the dark forces of evil manifesting through the criminal subversives that challenge law and order. It seems, therefore, incumbent upon him to engage society through consultations with all sectors, especially those who live daily in the shadow of mayhem and murder.

I appeal to my fellow Jamaicans to rise up against the demonic oppression manifesting itself through its human agents and let us partner to build a bulwark to confront, finally, the evil that stalks our land.

The life you save may be your own.

I am, etc.,

LLOYD MAXWELL

ellmax7@yahoo.com

Kingston 6