It has been quite distressing and shocking to see the residents of Gravel Heights in St Catherine being unceremoniously ousted from their homes and community by thugs.

It is even more unbelievable that the police can do nothing but assist by escorting the people from their homes and community. It is most unbelievable and downright disrespectful that up to this point, the Government and Opposition have not yet uttered a word of indignation and condemnation for this most egregious act let alone institute emergency measures to effectively deal with the situation.

The criminals have taken over and the Government and police are impotent. Crime has escalated to crisis proportions and we still are not giving it the urgent attention it deserves. The necessary resources must be allocated to control this problem now. Whatever it takes to restore peace and safety to our communities must be done. Crime is by far our most pressing problem and it must be dealt with as such.

Military should be deployed

At this time, a state of emergency should be called and the military deployed to the affected communities to restore law and order. It cannot be business as usual. Citizens are being displaced, students are unable to attend school, businesses are suffering and the people of Jamaica are fearful for their lives. What else is it going to take to stir the Government and police into meaningful action?

I am unapologetic if this sounds alarmist in nature but the pernicious nature of the crime problem does not allow us the luxury to wait and see what else is in store for us or to see how bold and daring these criminals can get. Haven't we seen enough? Aren't we yet convinced of the heartlessness of the handful of persons perpetrating these acts against the rest of the majority of persons who are law-abiding?

Conscience vote a waste of time

Clearly it was a colossal waste of time talking about a conscience vote for the retention or removal of the death penalty. Hanging comes just at the end of the justice rope, which comes long after the twists and turns of catching these most elusive culprits, gathering damning evidence, successfully trying and convicting them and then exhausting their appeals.

That charade in Parliament was just a red herring to distract us from the real failure of the Government and Opposition, the judicial system and police to get the first parts of the process right. Thus we may never reach to hanging these scofflaws.

It is time to face the real issues and I challenge the prime minister to act now to stop the lawlessness before things get even worse.

I am, etc.,

JERMAINE BORELAND

jirmz@yahoo.co.uk