Commentary

We must act now

IT SEEMS AS if criminality has been touching every part of our lives and the time when we will be free of this scourge seems to be a long way off.

THE STAR has made this assessment because of stories in both today's and yesterday's publications.

In yesterday's story, we read of thieves targeting several service stations in the Cross Roads area. The story also informed its readers that one of the service stations was robbed three times since January and that others have also been robbed.

Today's story in THE STAR tells of gunmen who are terrorising the community of Allman Town in Kingston and that there have been three murders in the area in the last three weeks.

Although many of us know Jamaica has a crime problem and often read about it, we sometimes forget how serious the situation is until it comes to our doorsteps. Whenever it is broadcast on our airwaves and printed in our newspapers, we often bemoan the state that the country is in but for most of us that is it.

Hence, it is the view of THE STAR that most of us as Jamaicans are not serious about seeing an end to crime, as we often either cower in fear or protect the criminals among us. But, we must remember that failure to act in helping to solve Jamaica's crime problem today may see us being its victim tomorrow.