Jamaica Gleaner

A traffic cop on every corner?

- Christophe­rjmpryce@yahoo. com

THE EDITOR, Madam:

IT WAS a treat to see the young police constable in command and control at the busy intersecti­on of Hillcrest Avenue and Hope Road during the heavy evening traffic last Tuesday. What a difference it made to have a traffic cop on spot!

Of a truth, a key factor in effective law enforcemen­t is the multiplier effect. It is neither ideal nor is it practical to have a police officer complement sufficient for an officer to be assigned to every citizen or two in order to curtail or solve crime. Rather, the idea is to have properly crafted laws and regulation­s, with the capacity to effectivel­y enforce them impartiall­y, and to develop a track record of consistent applicatio­n and enforcemen­t. Once that is achieved, it will have the effect of wider compliance without there needing to be an officer at every street or on every corner.

Until then, the constabula­ry needs to find ways to efficientl­y target and deploy police officers at strategic locations to enforce law and order. What I witnessed at the Hillcrest Avenue and Hope Road intersecti­on was almost magical. Where our storied taxi men would block the intersecti­on, or switch lanes off their approved route to make a dash for Marley Road and then to end up at Hope Road and East Kings House Road, the firmly raised hand of a solitary constable held them in check. And even the louts in high-end vehicles and notso-high-end vehicles who would cram the intersecti­on, albeit on the green light, held their place under the guidance of the constable.

During the Yuletide season, I call upon the Police High Command to consider a more sustained deployment of officers at the most critical traffic points.

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