The curtains of the year 2009 went down covered in the blood-stains of 1,680 of our brothers and sisters in Jamaica. According to the statistics, this has been the country's bloodiest year in history, surpassing that of 2005 which had a murder tally of 1,674. These figures are not anything to gloat over, for even if a single individual was murdered that would be a cause for alarm.

This wanton disregard for the sanctity of life needs to be seriously addressed, for if allowed to keep running wild it has repercussions of crippling our country's growth and development. The livelihood of too many individuals has been disrupted, as the old monster of crime fires its deadly blow on anything in its line of fire.

When will the bloodletting stop? Has respect for life gone to the dogs in our nation? These alarming murders have been sending shock waves of fear around the country, as many of us are marooned in our homes as we dodge for safety, although this is now heavy under threat.

The consensus is unanimous - 'crime is out of hand'. As decent, law-abiding citizens, we need to get proactive and jump into action, along with the powers, that be and also pray that God will stem this tide of evil, as we take back our country from the hands of the criminals.

I am, etc.,

Ardaine Gooden

ardaineg@yahoo.com

Northern Caribbean University

Mandeville, Manchester