Ineffective states of emergency losing crime fight

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Are the states of emergency (SOEs) losing the fight against crime? Surely, there are some loopholes that are hindering their effectiveness.

Can we make blood out of stone or turn a fish into a scorpion? For the SOE to come good, or to be more effective against these ‘gun bwoys’, it will have to unleash its power in some extraordinary ways that may seem impossible.

For example, it would be impossible, or it would take endless time, for the security forces, along with their metal detectors, to stop every single vehicle – Coaster buses, Jamaica Urban Transit Company buses, minibuses, taxis, etc – and search every single person thoroughly to see if gunmen, knife-mongers, or other terrorists are travelling among the lot. And it would be great glory if that were possible.

Neville, who is being called Mr Educator (I call him Mr Know-all, because he seems to know everything) is a very interesting radio caller who always calls our radio call-in programmes and makes some very interesting points like former teacher Ms Mervis Henry. Neville said this a few days ago while making a point: “Eight out of every 10 Jamaicans are living in rented houses.”

So looking at crime, is it possible that eight out of every 10 public-passenger vehicles that are travelling on our roads are carrying gunmen? The answer could be yes because di ‘gun-pests’ dem nuff like bees inna Jamaica. Our police and armed forces will have to dig deeper, in their searching strategies, if the people of Jamaica are to feel safe and be freed from the prison of fear.

I firmly believe that some buses and taxis need to be properly searched or may be escaping with some gun-pests along the busy streets of Jamaica.

Donald J. Mckoy