The Editor, Sir:

Minister of National Security and former Commissioner of Police Col. Trevor MacMillan's commitment of using the force of the police to control the present crime wave is welcome.

The revelation of Mark Wignall about atrocities in the various inner cities must be of serious concern to all Jamaicans. The revelation that gangs in different communities attack one another in an aggressive, violent and barbaric manner with indifference is almost unbelievable.

To accept that politicians were, or, are still involved in these garrisons is difficult to believe, considering that our leaders should be our primary role models and mentors.

Temporary approach

Col. MacMillan's approach of using the full force of the police to retrieve the crime capital of the world is but temporary. He will be attacking the symptoms rather than the root cause of the effective long-term solutions to the problem. Dismantling the garrisons and instilling a measure of self-worth in these residents, especially the youth, needs to be addressed as a priority.

Therefore, a rehabilitation programme needs to be embarked on with dispatch. Rehabilitation is attainable. These communities consist of decent and respectable individuals who are silenced because of the 'informer fi dead' policy.

For example, I know of a person who holds a very senior position in a semi-government institution and who lives in a deep inner-city community. He refuses to leave the community having been born and grown up there and his deep-rooted commitment to the area with family property etc.

Respectable people

Secondly, I worked with members of another inner-city community through my Kiwanis Club trying to pursue projects that would enhance the welfare of the community. These residents were very decent, respectable and cooperative. When asked why the numerous crimes reported in the area are not properly addressed, their response was that if they go to the police to report crimes they are targeted so they keep silent.

Rehabilitation of these communities should be regarded as a priority. It is a minority of individuals that destroy the image of these communities as well as the country as a whole. This image must be retrieved!

I am, etc.,

ALFONSO F. JACQUES, J.P.

Padmore

St Andrew