THE EDITOR, Sir:I WISH to draw to your attention to a matter of concern in the new profound initiative of the Ministry of National Security, that of 'Operation Kingfish'.
Despite those who will oppose, organised crime is more prevalent in the police force than anywhere else in the society and if not addressed the success we all hope for from Operation Kingfish will not be possible.
The transport sector has been taking a battering for decades from police officers who prey on that sector for a second pay envelope. Is it not organised crime when you have to pay a policeman $5,000 per week and the week you can't pay he tells you, 'God is going to take away your blessings' and by the following morning your car is taken away?
MUDGUARD
Is it not high level organised crime when a legal taxi operator is charged for not having a mudguard or for not wearing a tall sleeve white shirt and black tie?
The National Association of Taxi Operators (NATO) is just 19 months old and trying to organise a taxi industry and I must commend the Ministry of National Security and the Transport Ministry for their support so far. We are still in the organising stage and will remain in the development stage for some time.
I welcome Operation Kingfish, but I am yet to welcome a free market legal transport system and a working transport policy.
I am, etc.,
EGETON NEWMAN
General Secretary
NATO
123 Duke Street
Kingston
