The Editor, Sir:

Over the years, we Jamaicans have heard about the killings that take place in our communities across the island, but people are reluctant to give statements that they saw what happened.

Yet, there is always a story either saying how a man walked up to the victim and shot him/her or there was a car of a certain colour that drove by and shots were fired.

There are several reasons for that. One, people are afraid that when they give the police tips regarding the incident, their names will be mentioned to people other than the police and they are afraid that they will be targeted. Two, no one wants to be called a snitch.

We as Jamaicans cannot live like this. We need to get involved and be our brothers' keepers and look out for each other. If you happen to see a crime in progress and you don't say anything about it to the police, because you are afraid that the criminal will do something to you, then what is going to stop that criminal from coming after you?

There is a problem in Jamaica that needs to be addressed; we the people covering for our husbands, children, and friends when they do wrongs. We need to stop it because our own children, husband, and friend is the same one that comes back and inflicts pain on us.

I am, etc.,

NADIA MATTIS

nmattis@hmi-inc.com

Bronx, New York

Via Go-Jamaica