One-one SOE or ZOSO will not do

THE EDITOR, Sir:

O ONE should take comfort from the slight reduction in murders reported by the latest police statistics (May 26), the daily deadly toll coming down from four a day to 3.8. A study of the breakdown discloses a single reason: 70 fewer killed in St James. As welcome as this is, especially for residents of St James, conversely for the rest of Jamaica, other numbers are just as unwelcome.

The three parishes of Kingston, St Andrew, and St Catherine record a 25.4 per cent increase over the similar period last year. And this is after getting a zone of special operations (ZOSO) and a state of emergency (SOE) in two of these parishes.

Even in the other 11 parishes, if St James is subtracted, there is an increase of 1.5 per cent over last year. Yes, this is small, but the ‘silent’ upward creep in St Thomas, Portland, and St Mary is cause for concern. Remember how Westmoreland grew from small beginnings?

What is most concerning is the failure of the present Government, like the previous, to make violence and murder the number-one national priority. The violence-murder epidemic is allisland, hitting at the country’s economy, at everyone’s safety, everyone’s pocket. Ending it must be made a national priority, requiring focused commitment of ministries and funding. One-one SOE or ZOSO will not do.

This is the central message of the ‘Murder Reduction Strategy’ set out by nine civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Gleaner last Friday (May 25). The CSO statement is worth a careful look. It deserves vocal public support. It is a call on Mr Holness for immediate, comprehensive, in-depth, preventive action. There can be no excuse for further delay.

HORACE LEVY

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