Dear Editor,
The latest move by the Jamaica Public Service Company to disconnect the electricity of the communities in which the majority of the residents are stealing electricity — punishing even those who are paying in the area — has been condemned by many Jamaicans, me included. However, I have not heard many people attempting to offer solutions to this problem.
Like most, if not all paying customers this problem is of great concern to me, as I see the problem of electricity theft is more a police problem than it is a JPS problem. It is natural, however, that the JPS would be concerned and lead the charge, because this how they earn revenue and they are losing money because of this illegal activity.
Stealing electricity is a crime, and it is the mandate of the police to see to crime prevention as well as to investigate, gather evidence, arrest and ensure the prosecution of those who are offenders of the law.
It is my view that the police force should set up a special branch with its sole responsibility to reduce the occurrence of electricity theft and to arrest and charge those who commit this offence.
Stealing electricity is no different from stealing a car, a farmer's produce or a bandit holding up a person and taking away his hard-earned money.
The flip side is that one could suggest that the JPS employ special people to do this instead of the police. The distinct disadvantage is that this, in itself, would not do much to prevent electricity theft and furthermore they — the JPS — do not possess the power of arrest.
I am also of the view that the company, initially, should give everyone the opportunity to become regularised by making the process of applying easier; reducing the (red tape) excessive formality and routine required before officially making them customers and ensuring that the process becomes more customer-friendly.
Let us look into creating a special branch, be it in the police force or a combination of the persons employed to the JPS and members of the police. Forming a special branch to specifically police this offence, with the view to first prevent it, should be the avenue pursued. It would then bring to book those who are still brave enough to steal electricity after its implementation.
Gary Rowe
Magnett0072004@yahoo.com
Start a special police branch for electricity theft
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The latest move by the Jamaica Public Service Company to disconnect the electricity of the communities in which the majority of the residents are stealing electricity — punishing even those who are paying in the area — has been condemned by many Jamaicans, me included. However, I have not heard many people attempting to offer solutions to this problem.
Like most, if not all paying customers this problem is of great concern to me, as I see the problem of electricity theft is more a police problem than it is a JPS problem. It is natural, however, that the JPS would be concerned and lead the charge, because this how they earn revenue and they are losing money because of this illegal activity.
Stealing electricity is a crime, and it is the mandate of the police to see to crime prevention as well as to investigate, gather evidence, arrest and ensure the prosecution of those who are offenders of the law.
It is my view that the police force should set up a special branch with its sole responsibility to reduce the occurrence of electricity theft and to arrest and charge those who commit this offence.
Stealing electricity is no different from stealing a car, a farmer's produce or a bandit holding up a person and taking away his hard-earned money.
The flip side is that one could suggest that the JPS employ special people to do this instead of the police. The distinct disadvantage is that this, in itself, would not do much to prevent electricity theft and furthermore they — the JPS — do not possess the power of arrest.
I am also of the view that the company, initially, should give everyone the opportunity to become regularised by making the process of applying easier; reducing the (red tape) excessive formality and routine required before officially making them customers and ensuring that the process becomes more customer-friendly.
Let us look into creating a special branch, be it in the police force or a combination of the persons employed to the JPS and members of the police. Forming a special branch to specifically police this offence, with the view to first prevent it, should be the avenue pursued. It would then bring to book those who are still brave enough to steal electricity after its implementation.
Gary Rowe
Magnett0072004@yahoo.com
Start a special police branch for electricity theft
-->