THE EDITOR, Sir:

HOW LONG will we wait to see the installation of security cameras in Half-Way Tree, Cross Roads, Parade and downtown areas? Are the contracts still being put to tender? Administrators somewhere are joking, as recently, the Tourism Product Development Company threatened to withdraw funding to install CCTV cameras on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay, if the matter was not given some degree of urgency. If these systems work in curtailing crime in major cities overseas, why can't we do the same after so many years?

Any layman knows that effective policing is about having a presence on the streets, so why can't the authorities deploy enough officers on the streets daily before 8:30 a.m. and after 5 p.m.? Drive along Hagley Park Road any weekday and see the numerous traffic violations during this time period. Where are the police officers? Any new plans must be more than just shuffling senior officers and talking about 'zero tolerance', which always becomes a 'nine-day wonder'.

Reform justice system

Maybe the time has come to merge the army and the constabulary so we can have more personnel on the streets and while we are at it, change the law to give certain officers of the army arrest powers. The justice system must be reformed urgently with enough judges on the bench and support personnel. Moreover, they can do a great service to this country by imposing maximum sentences on gunmen, rapists, praedial and car thieves so hard-working Jamaicans may have a longer respite from their activities.

With over 800 reported murders at this time, it is clear we are in a state of anarchy.

I am, etc.,

DUDLEY I.H. MCFARLANE

dudsjnr@hotmail.com