A new government has been voted in by the electorate of Jamaica. A wave of sweeping changes is to be undertaken by this Bruce Golding-led administration.

However, while all of this is unfolding, the old monster of crime seems to have no regard for the affairs of the country as it has decided not to change its course.

The country is at the mercy of a few heartless individuals who continue to defy the odds at whatever cost, all in the name of crime. The crippling effect of their action is felt even beyond the barking of weapons.

It is evident in the handwriting on the wall in the loss of human capital, lack of investment, brain-drain, a damning report on human trafficking and being blacklisted as one of the murder capitals of the world.

What can be done to stem this tide of evil? Do we have a saviour in this new administration? Unlikely, theirs is a mammoth task.

I will hasten to say, there will be no honeymooning for this new body, not at least while crime is wildly on the run. Plans and proposals should be activated to annihilate crime at once.

- Ardaine Gooden, ardaineg@yahoo.com Religion student, Northern Caribbean University

Mandeville, Manchester