The Editor, Sir:

As we all know, there is no easy solution to Jamaica's crime problem since it has been brewing for many years and is now just boiling over. The Jamaican Government has been spending billions of dollars sprucing up the island, and doing lots of things without prioritising ... . Half-Way Tree being a prime example. Much of this money would be better spent stamping out crime. After all, who wants to visit a beautiful country that is ravaged by crime? Here's what I would like to see the Jamaican Government do ... prioritise; don't just say it ... do it.

Solutions for the problem

Let me reiterate what I've been saying for years, as my solution to gradually solving this problem.

1. Legislate as necessary: We must create the laws needed to effectively deal with criminals. People should be afraid of the system and not the police. Make the system tough and policing becomes a whole lot easier.

2. Build more prisons, one major facility in every parish. Revise the entire correctional officer requirements and training procedures to attract more educated and suitable candidates for this position, because for the first couple of years we are going to have our hands full.

3. Boost the justice system immediately with more lawyers, judges and court/case workers.

4. Begin the 'no-tolerance' policy with the tough new laws in place to start ridding the streets of criminals. I guarantee that after a few years, the society will gradually be free of most hardened criminals, and those whom will still be on the streets will have changed their lifestyle in fear of the system - and not the police.

I am, etc.,

BYKE

russb19@juno.com

Deerfield Beach, Fl

Via Go-Jamaica