It is generally true that an environment of crime is usually a deterrent to order and development. Equally true is that order and development are generally a deterrent to crime, at least violent crime.

In Jamaica, we seem to have become consumed by the former thought so much that we have lost sight of the latter. It is partly for this reason why there has hardly been any real effort to transform so many of our ghettos or rundown communities.

I am encouraged by the recent announcement by the Government of efforts being advanced to realise its long-held plans for the redevelopment of downtown Kingston.

As reported recently, corporate giant Digicel plans to relocate its Jamaican and global headquarters to the Kingston waterfront area. Hopefully, this will encourage other private-sector interests to act likewise.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding sometime ago implemented a freeze on public-sector entities leaving downtown Kingston, with plans for bringing back many of those that have left. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, it is said, should be the first government ministry making the move back downtown. We have been told also that the Bank of Jamaica, which is located downtown, plans to erect another building in the area.

In its quest to reclaim downtown Kingston, I trust that the Government will see to complementing the Justice Square now being developed on King Street with a Parliament Square on Duke Street.

structured redevelopment

We need not merely cause for the relocation of government entities downtown; instead, we need to ensure the structured redevelopment of downtown Kingston into various zones or districts, including business and residential areas. A promenade along the waterfront with restaurants, pubs and the like should also be in order.

Certainly, the decrepit communities that now occupy areas of downtown cannot be allowed to remain as is. They must be done away with as is and developed to give aesthetic appeal to the new downtown.

Downtown Kingston can indeed become the prototype for developing our country's many decrepit communities so as to bring more meaningful opportunities to our people and help to rid Jamaica of a life of crime.

I am, etc.,

KEVIN K. O. SANGSTER

sangstek@.com