Following the prime minister's announcement of the new anti-crime initiatives yesterday, The Gleaner sought the reactions of a number of persons:

Monsignor Richard Albert, Vicar, St Catherine

I support the prime minister's proposals, and we also need to protect the human rights of the poor innocent people being killed. I know the prime minister well and he is someone we can trust. The proposal is not draconian or criminal, and does not violate the human rights of our people. We need more curfews and we need more spot checks.

Mark Kerr-Jarrett, Montego Bay businessman

I think it's a very good start. I'd love to hear they're going to start enforcing public order. We have to stop the future generations of criminals.

Garthea Phipps, Member of the public

Many of the police personnel are corrupt. The corruption needs to clean up first and it needs to start with the police first. Where it comes to spending a minimum of 10 years before parole, if they can prove the people are guilty then, that's a good idea.

Carlos Cambell, Member of the public

That's a good thing he's doing. That will keep down the crime.

Leroy Denzil Fender, Member of the public

I'm not against the plan. We're living under a lot of fear now. I agree with everything he's said. If you can hold a man with the gun, you don't have to murder him. No poor youth can buy a gun. So find out where the guns are coming from.