With reference to Everton Eastwood's letter in The Gleaner of January 29, 'More guns not the answer', I agree with him. Arming the citizens of Jamaica will not solve the level of crime and violence we have in this society. It is intelligence that solves crime, coupled with education and training of both citizens and security personnel.

I was appalled when I heard the commissioner of police setting a target of five per cent reduction in the murder rate based on last year's figures (1,611 murders). The 95 per cent of murders that the commissioner is expecting to take place this year is 95 per cent too many.

Ineffective

If the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is ineffective in protecting citizens or is not capable of upholding law and order in our society for which it is responsible, I would suggest that those who are in charge of the force should resign.

Solving the high crime rate should be a priority and is of utmost importance to the nation. Whatever we do, the wave of crime will have an impact on all aspects of our lives - physical, social, psychological, spiritual and emotional. We cannot prosper with the kind of murder rate we have in Jamaica.

I am not oblivious to the fact that fighting crime and violence is costly, but every dollar that is spent preventing a murder is well worth it. If members of the police force were properly trained in intelligence, they would not (what seems to happen in many cases) pull the trigger first and then ask questions after.

I am, etc.,

H. ROWE

hyacinthrowe@btinternet.com

Santa Cruz PO