I am increasingly frustrated by the inability on all sides - Government, police, faith-based and social service agencies to curb violence in Jamaica. There has been a breakdown of families and traditions. The old values of respect for family, neighbourhood and community are missing. Fathers are missing and have abandoned their responsibilities. The only role models many of these youths have are gangs and lowlifes.

The wider Jamaica cannot turn a blind eye and say it's an inner-city thing, because it is happening all over the country. We are having a Jamaican culture meltdown and we need to instil respect for human life and neighbours.

We have to mobilise and bring together faith-based and community-based groups with the politicians and other leaders. The solution to the crime problem will take a large number of individuals a long time to achieve. And, before that can happen, there must be a long-haul commitment. It is important to remember that this isn't just a policing issue, but one that the whole community needs to look at and take responsibility for. One critical question we must ask ourselves is: Do we really want to alleviate the crime problem, or do we just want to whine and moan about it?

Positive adult role models

Jamaica needs big brothers and big sisters as mentors for the children. Big brothers and big sisters will help to provide a measurable prevention approach helping kids do better in school, stay out of trouble, and live happier, better-adjusted lives by matching them with positive adult role models. The police can work with high school students to create a representative group of students who would act as advisors to the police commissioner on matters of interest to them. Classroom teachers and uniformed officers could teach jointly a number of specially designed lessons regarding gun violence, personal safety, danger recognition, peer pressure resistance and alternatives to fighting.

We need after-school programmes. Too many young people are alone and unsupervised after school, before parents return home from work. Effective after-school programmes can have a positive effect on students' attitudes and behaviour in school and their ability to achieve learning goals.

I sincerely believe that these steps may help break the cycle of violence that cripples many communities in Jamaica. The true solution involves a partnership with the entire community: the government, faith-based, community-based groups, schools, neighbourhoods and service organisations. We need to rally around and invest in at-risk children, so that they can grow into good employees, neighbours and citizens.

I am, etc.,

NEVILLE CARNEGIE

New Jersey, USA