A policeman secures the crime scene at the intersection of Deanery Road and Deanery Avenue where three men were shot dead on September 2, one day before the holding of national parliamentary elections. The main political parties have shied away from addressing the issue of crime on the recently concluded campaign.- Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

The Editor, Sir:

The country's number-one problem - crime and violence - did not receive much attention by the political parties at their respective rallies, nor was any significant or comprehensive plan developed by our 'visionary', aspiring leaders.

Throughout the entire campaign, the decisiveness required to make crime and violence, which is Jamaica's number-one problem the urgent priority it needs, was woefully missing. I am of the view that this may be due to one of three possible reasons.

First, it may be that both political leaders are comfortable with the crime situation, where it appears as though crime benefits them, by driving fear into the prospective voters and providing some idle hands for their manipulation.

The second possible reason for turning a blind eye to the 1,400-plus murders (and climbing nearer to 2,000) in recent years, might be a sense of hopelessness on the part of our leadership. Thus, they have accepted the current crime situation as unchangeable - you know, one the those things that they have no control over.

The third and final reason I suggest is that they are not willing to pay the cost of tackling crime with the urgency that is required.

For the cost, indeed, is not an easy one to pay, as this will ultimately result in the loss of favour from some circles in Jamaica. The cost of ameliorating the crime situation in Jamaica includes urgently upgrading our justice system to restore confidence by the masses, ensuring that our laws such as capital punishment are not simply on our books but also are executed (or changed); desisting from supplying guns to our gifted young people or (not giving them the money to buy them); and, demotion of the donmanship culture that the politicians have in some communities formalised. I am fully convinced that Jamaica is too beautiful to be so ugly.

address the crime problem

My one desire, which was not met in the rush for power, is that I would like to see a whole-hearted attack on crime and violence in Jamaica. With the same zeal with which the power was sought, my prayer is that addressing Jamaica's number-one problem would also be pursued so that we can indeed experience the "One love, one heart, get together and feel all right" vibes. Let's no longer deceive ourselves into operating under the slogan 'Jamaica No Problem'.

Rather, let's address the crime problem so that Jamaica may under God increase in beauty and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race. Is it a lack of political will or a dearth of ideas among politicians why we have not heard workable solutions to tackle the scourge of crime?

I am, etc.,

ORLANDO WILLIAMS

jesusyute@hotmail.com

328 Laburnum Grove,

Portmonth, Waterford P.O.

Portmore, St. Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica