Congratulation to the judge, Justice Raymund King, who sentenced a 39 year old man to 25 years in prison for abducting and raping a teenager at knife point. The only bad news is that the sentences run concurrently and he will only serve 15 years. Unfortunately the teenager will serve a life time from the psychological effect of the ordeal. It is only sentences like these that fits the crime will send a messages to the criminals in Jamaica.

I read in the Jamaican Gleaner today where the REVEREND Dr Roderick Hewitt yesterday called for tougher laws against corrupt officials in both the public and private sectors. We need more

than tougher laws we need corrupt politicians thrown in jail. For too long Jamaicans politicians stand by while the country rot with corruption and crime and they do nothing because they are so align with the criminals. It is not unusual to see criminals touting their political connections.

In the USA and many other civilized countries we see daily where politicians are marched off to jail after charged with corruption. Jamaica is one of the most corrupt countries on earth and we have never seen one high profile politician going to jail in several years. All one party does is blame the other party for corruption while they are meddling with it themselves.

It is because of the corruption  among police, politicians and other prominent officials while the local criminals are so brazen in their deeds. They commit crime because they know that the politicians are too corrupt to go after them. Too many criminals have secrets for politicians. Politicans use them to do their dirty work to get in power and when they get into power they promise protection as a return for the favor. This is why the police are crying out that their hands are tied in fighting crime. Unless we weed out the corrupt politicians from the island the crime and murder rate will only get worse.

called by citizens in need.

I am not sure and so I wonder if these are some of the job description for the Police officers in Jamaica. I have known of situation whereby the police station was called and up till now the police have not responded. Situation like this is not helping the crime and violence that exist. The police are being paid to protect the country so why are they not doing so. Why should they receive a cheque every month when they know that they don’t deserve it because they did not work for it? This is a crime, this is fraud. The citizen of Jamaica should report these officer, they should be investigated and if guilty fired. The Minister of National Security, Trevor McMillan and Commissioner Hardley Lewin have to take responsibility for running an adequate force. They are making the big money and doing nothing as we can see, because if they are it is a big secret and the Jamaican certainly are not benefiting from it.

All Police should have logs to document the time they make their patrol rounds, exactly where they go and what they observe. These rounds should be made and document day and night. Having a police presence will help to deter crime. We should have adequate officer in the station for coverage and to make rounds.    

What a great pity that all that is heard overseas about Jamaica is crime. I lived, worked and married in Jamaica in the 70s and now have taken early retirement. I would like to retire to Jamaica. However, if I discuss this with Jamaican friends, I access websites, or even discuss with more casual acquaintances, the reaction is always the same, ‘it could cost you your life’. I guess what makes Jamaica affordable is that no one wants to go and live there, so I should consider that a blessing, but what a poor reputation to have. I might point out that young Jamaicans overseas havent exactly brought much praise upon Jamaicans generally as they have exported the crime wave. Such a pity really.

By Ken Robinson