Call for nationwide electronic checkpoints

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE MAJOR challenge facing Jamaica today is not the economy, as some would believe, but the wanton killing of children, women and men with an indifference which seems unprecedented anywhere in the world during peacetime. Your issue of October 30 showed on its front page that of 1,241 murders committed up to that time, a total of 1,067 were carried out by the use of the gun and knives, with the vast majority (938) by the gun. In fact, it would appear that men go everywhere walking, riding or driving with guns which they use at will to carry out their dastardly acts.

These murders, which began as a trickle in the late 1960s, have now become an avalanche with no hope of bringing them to an end, notwithstanding the vote to retain the death penalty. Murderers have become very bold, and whereas they killed under the cover of darkness in the past, they now do this at any time of day or night, whenever and wherever.

Insatiable propensity to kill

The recent shooting at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) conference has shown that gunmen do not care. They brought their murderous intent within striking distance of the Prime Minister, ministers and other party officials. The situation could have resulted in a national disaster. When are strong measures going to be taken to curb this insatiable propensity to kill in Jamaica? Which investors in their right mind will venture to come to this country to put down their hard-earned resources and scarce assets to initiate and maintain businesses? How will jobs be created for the unemployed under these conditions?

I note that after the shooting at the JLP conference, it was stated that, in future, electronic devices will be used to ensure that no one enters the conference with guns. My suggestion is that if the nation is to be protected, and not only politicians, then portable electronic checkpoints should be set up all over Jamaica at strategic points and every man, woman and child who comes within the vicinity of them should be made to undergo detailed security checks to ensure that no one can leave with any weapon which could be used to inflict bodily harm.

Necessary inconvenience

Our emphasis should be on prevention, not detection, an endeavour in which we have been far from successful. If evil persons cannot use these weapons, then we should see a substantial reduction in murders. The checkpoints should be arranged by only the most senior police officers, and should be manned by soldiers and police personnel.

I can imagine that there will be howls about inordinate delays for the travelling public, but if we are concerned for the lives of our fellowmen, then such inconvenience would be a small price to pay. Indeed, every time we travel abroad, we encounter delays in the effort to protect everyone from the hazardous acts of terrorists. We comply without dissent, even to the point of removing our shoes, so why can't we cooperate for the good of our country? Nor should the cost deter us, for what is more expensive than the thousands of lives which are snuffed out in this country year after year? My hope is that the Minister of National Security, the Commissioner of Police and others directly responsible for law and order will consider this suggestion seriously and act now before we descend further into total chaos in this country.

I am, etc.,

Anxious Citizen

lgoodin@cwjamaica.com