The Editor, Sir:

I am a young Jamaican who is greatly concerned by the continued crime that is raping our nation. This consumes my thoughts day and night and often leaves me awake. Gunshots don't make the best bedtime lullaby.

This problem will always exist if we, as citizens don't make it our business. We place too much, emphasis on what the Government can do for us, and not enough on what we can do to help the process.

Our business

It is time we made it our business. Every individual, community, police officer, church leader and government representative. On the part of the Government, policies and laws need to change. Facilities must be constructed for the processing, storage and compiling of all evidentiary materials. A database of information on all known criminals and their known associates, fingerprinting included, should be established.

Policing needs to be smarter and the police need to develop better relationship with communities. Patrols should be regularised and not just in violent communities, but in every neighbourhood. This may help to build a better relationship between residents and law officers.

I am, etc.,

KAT DELANEY

slim_1133@yahoo.com

Kingston 17

Via Go-Jamaica