Gov’t has done the right thing

THE GOVERNMENT of Jamaica has done the right thing. As a young man who hails from Hendon Norwood, St James, I would like to thank Prime Minister Andrew Holness for listening and being sensitive to the cry of the citizens and declaring a state of emergency (SOE) for the western parishes. We cannot continue to gamble with the lives of our citizens.

There has been unrelenting insecurity that the citizens in the parishes of St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland have been facing.

Persons external to the situation have posited that the SOE cannot be the antidote to the crime situation, and I agree. The SOE must not be viewed as a panacea to violent crime; however, the situation in the western belt of Jamaica is a unique one that requires a very strong response while the Government implements the medium-to-longterm crime plan.

The truth is that no short-term strategy will truly stem the crime beast that has evolved over the years across both PNP and JLP administrations.

However, this current administration has a duty to act today. This immediate and strong response is warranted as we, the citizens, have been living in trepidation, and we cannot simply just put up our hands in surrender.

This move to implement the SOE is a victory for the people. We hope that the Opposition will work with the Government and our security intelligence to ensure its full success. Bipartisan effort is needed as one life lost is too many. SUJAE H. BOSWELL Concerned Montegonian