THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS very heartened to see the reaction of Government and the Opposition members to the introduction of proposed legislation on wireless phones following the deaths of two students within a matter of days. It is my belief, however, that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I think that a significant number of lives are lost and other criminal activities (drug trafficking, gun importation, murder for hire) are conducted by people using this form of communication.
I would suggest therefore that the proposed law be broadened to require that the cellphone companies require purchasers to present adequate identification when purchasing these telephones. People who lose their telephones would then be required to report this loss to the nearest police station within 12 hours. If these phones are lent to persons to make calls then the users are liable for any mischief that is made.
COURT ORDERS
This would allow investigators who suspect that certain calls are coming from certain telephones to obtain court orders to subpoena these telephone records and to tap these telephones, just as is presently done in the United States of America. Notice how quickly laws are changed in that country in the name of homeland security, to secure the rights of the whole, at the expense of the individual.
Mr. Editor, it can't be business as usual if we are to solve crime. Laws have to be dynamic, to suit changing times and situations. It is no good for people to complain about individual rights, when the rest of us are being murdered and subject to all kinds of indignities each day. My position is that if we have nothing to hide, we have nothing to fear.
I am, etc.,
GEORGE WATSON
Discovery Bay St. Ann
watteverg@hotmail.com
