Regarding the letter, 'Police officers and the 'daggering' in May Pen', (January 1) please note that Frankfield is not in May Pen, it is in Chapelton.

Second, I thought the writer was going to complain about more serious issues. Have you noticed this is a no-win situation? There are complaints about crime, but what is the problem when people can come together and enjoy themselves and give the violence a rest? There are worse things happening which are overlooked.

I wouldn't mind if Jamaicans could party their life through and forget about committing crimes. The writer should have swapped places with me and be in the cold and allow me to 'enjoy' myself in the sunshine.

Carole Marshall

carole.marshall@familymosaic.co.uk

London, England

Our scholars and policy makers should use 2009 to identify the top ten root causes of crime and violence in our society and devise a plan to provide practical solutions to these causes.

In arriving at these root causes, every effort should be made to consult with various stakeholders, including community leaders, political activists, politicians, the police, teachers, pastors, students and incarcerated youths.

A series of public fora mainly in hot-spot communities should be held to discuss consultation findings.

Wherever the resources are to be found, the recommendations coming out of the consultations and fora must be implemented as a priority and without further delay, if we are to save Jamaica from an increasing murder rate.

Give agencies like the Peace Management Initiative and The Fresh Start programme the resources they need to spread and swell the 'Rivers of Peace' in other parishes such as Clarendon, parts of St Catherine and St James. It is obvious that the violence and bloodshed have migrated from Kingston and St Andrew to the rural parishes.

Rohan Perry

rohan_perry@hotmail.com

Kingston 12

I would like to send congratulations, kudos and a huge 'big-up' to Shaggy, his friends and his organising team for an exceptional event on Saturday night. Everything was well organised and well executed. The performers were entertaining and I was truly proud to be Jamaican and a part of this fund-raiser.

Bustamante Children's Hospital is in dire need and is very fortunate to have Shaggy on its side. I hope this becomes an annual event.

Suzie Foreman

suzie_foreman@hotmail.com

Kingston 6