Dear Editor,
Recently, I was driving along Industrial Terrace in Kingston. As I approached the vicinity of Tivoli Gardens High School I saw a police patrol vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. Obviously, I would have seen police patrol vehicles before; however, what struck me as the police vehicle passed was my inability to see the driver. The inability to see the driver had nothing to do with my vision. Instead it was brought on the accessories that were added to the vehicle. The windscreen of the police vehicle seemingly had a double tint. Both the top and the bottom of the windscreen had on midnight tints. As a result, it rendered it impossible for anyone to see through or in the vehicle. This was disturbing on many accounts.
As citizens of this country we need to be in a position, at all times, to clearly identify our police officers, whether they are driving or not. Our high crime rate calls for nothing less. This incident raises a number of questions, among them: What is the position of the Police High Command regarding the tinting of police vehicles in general? What do the traffic regulations say regarding the double-tinting of windscreens of vehicles in general?
I have noticed that double-tinting is fast becoming the norm for a significant number of private vehicles. While I understand and appreciate that some level of tinting maybe necessary due to the piercing glare of the sun, it is most unacceptable for police vehicles to have tinting to the extent to which the average citizen is unable to clearly identify who is driving or whether or not there are passengers on board.
As Jamaicans, we need to work together to usher in a new culture to curb the tide of unacceptable behaviours and practices which is threatening our very existence. We need to know the official policy regarding the tinting of police vehicles. This is certainly not too much to ask of the authorities.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
Why are the police hiding behind midnight tints?
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Recently, I was driving along Industrial Terrace in Kingston. As I approached the vicinity of Tivoli Gardens High School I saw a police patrol vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. Obviously, I would have seen police patrol vehicles before; however, what struck me as the police vehicle passed was my inability to see the driver. The inability to see the driver had nothing to do with my vision. Instead it was brought on the accessories that were added to the vehicle. The windscreen of the police vehicle seemingly had a double tint. Both the top and the bottom of the windscreen had on midnight tints. As a result, it rendered it impossible for anyone to see through or in the vehicle. This was disturbing on many accounts.
As citizens of this country we need to be in a position, at all times, to clearly identify our police officers, whether they are driving or not. Our high crime rate calls for nothing less. This incident raises a number of questions, among them: What is the position of the Police High Command regarding the tinting of police vehicles in general? What do the traffic regulations say regarding the double-tinting of windscreens of vehicles in general?
I have noticed that double-tinting is fast becoming the norm for a significant number of private vehicles. While I understand and appreciate that some level of tinting maybe necessary due to the piercing glare of the sun, it is most unacceptable for police vehicles to have tinting to the extent to which the average citizen is unable to clearly identify who is driving or whether or not there are passengers on board.
As Jamaicans, we need to work together to usher in a new culture to curb the tide of unacceptable behaviours and practices which is threatening our very existence. We need to know the official policy regarding the tinting of police vehicles. This is certainly not too much to ask of the authorities.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
Why are the police hiding behind midnight tints?
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