The Editor, Sir:

For many years, the police and citizens of Jamaica have had a stormy relationship, where shoot-outs and beatings take place, with each side telling a different story of the event.

It seems that both sides could bolster their position by using video cameras in their patrol vehicles or hand-held to record events taking place around them.

Using a video recording device will provide an accurate account of the event from both perspectives.

If the citizens are feeling distrust from years of abuse, then this should help to allay their fears that the event will be documented.

Similarly, if the citizens know that the event is being recorded, they may not be so eager to take their demonstrations to the street.

Motive for crime

In the case of the high murder rate, crime needs motive and opportunity. Criminal activity of the kind happening in Jamaica requires a fair amount of chaos to operate.

In Kingston and beginning to be seen in places across the island, the lack of street signs, lack of zoning control in the use of streets and sidewalks, lack of infra-structure relating to garbage collection, street lighting, and maintaining fences and so on, create the resulting chaos.

I commend the Mayor of Kingston for starting the process of clean-up, which needs to take place in a sustained manner.

I am, etc.,

HUGH M. DUNBAR

hmdenergy@optonline.net

West New York, NJ