Dear Editor,
For some months now, I have heard the hierarchy of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) stating that more police officers will be and have been deployed to the troubled parishes, such as St James. Indeed, I have seen such an increase in police presence.
However, these are seen on the streets, and more specifically in the areas it is known that taxi drivers frequently park. Is this the reason they were released on the streets? To harass drivers? It is no wonder that the last report from the JCF stated that murder is on the increase in the western region of the country.
I am not saying that order must not be kept, but there has to be random spot checks of vehicles which can possibly allow the police to arrest criminals and recover illegal weapons. The fact remains, though, the taxi drivers are not the ones painting a bad picture of Jamaica. The high crime rate is. To be honest with you, with all of these policemen and policewomen on the street, I still don’t feel safe and will not use my Samsung Galaxy phone when walking.
The town of Montego Bay is not the hotbed for the criminals, but I wish to hear of and see more police in areas such as Salt Spring and Rose Heights. A few times, I have seen the mobile police vehicle parked in Sam Sharpe Square. Why not send these into other troubled areas?
Another thing I would like to see is the deployment of soldiers. A few months ago this had happened, and believe me that was the time I felt safe. At every turn there was a soldier. During that time, at no point was there any of the ‘cash for gold’ individuals on the street and, yes, I was able to use my phone in the open. Why can’t this be done continously? Utilise the army and do not wait until there is an emergency and then they are called in. I am pretty sure that with this we will see a decrease in the crime rate.
Jai-won Jackson
St James
jai.jackson.jai@gmail.com
For some months now, I have heard the hierarchy of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) stating that more police officers will be and have been deployed to the troubled parishes, such as St James. Indeed, I have seen such an increase in police presence.
However, these are seen on the streets, and more specifically in the areas it is known that taxi drivers frequently park. Is this the reason they were released on the streets? To harass drivers? It is no wonder that the last report from the JCF stated that murder is on the increase in the western region of the country.
I am not saying that order must not be kept, but there has to be random spot checks of vehicles which can possibly allow the police to arrest criminals and recover illegal weapons. The fact remains, though, the taxi drivers are not the ones painting a bad picture of Jamaica. The high crime rate is. To be honest with you, with all of these policemen and policewomen on the street, I still don’t feel safe and will not use my Samsung Galaxy phone when walking.
The town of Montego Bay is not the hotbed for the criminals, but I wish to hear of and see more police in areas such as Salt Spring and Rose Heights. A few times, I have seen the mobile police vehicle parked in Sam Sharpe Square. Why not send these into other troubled areas?
Another thing I would like to see is the deployment of soldiers. A few months ago this had happened, and believe me that was the time I felt safe. At every turn there was a soldier. During that time, at no point was there any of the ‘cash for gold’ individuals on the street and, yes, I was able to use my phone in the open. Why can’t this be done continously? Utilise the army and do not wait until there is an emergency and then they are called in. I am pretty sure that with this we will see a decrease in the crime rate.
Jai-won Jackson
St James
jai.jackson.jai@gmail.com