The youth need help

Dear Editor,

Over the past few weeks, I have been reading about the surge in crime and violence in Jamaica.

I acknowledge that many of the points raised are worth examining, especially that of the police commissioner and minister of national security need to do more.

The problem of crime and violence in Jamaica is not a police or government issue only; it's a Jamaican issue. If we examine the issue closely we will see a trend building in Jamaica, like many cities around the world. That trend is, young people are the number one offenders.

So we as a country must ask, what is happening to our youth and how do we address that issue? Our youth are fearless, act without thinking, have no regard for life and, most of all, have been failed by their homes.

Where are the parents? Where is the community? Where is the local political representatives?

While it is fair to ask the police and Government to do more, it is also fair that we ask the parents and MPs what are they doing to address the issue at hand.

Gary Foster

Upliftment Jamaica

St Thomas

gfoster.ja@gmail.com