The police raided two night clubs in New Kingston on Sunday morning, claiming they were searching for illegal weapons.

According to an article in Monday's STAR, the police found nothing and did not say whether similar raids would be conducted at other nightclubs.

The raids came a few days after a shooting at another nightclub where four persons were killed and five injured.

Was this most recent search an attempt by the police to catch persons with illegal weapons and prevent another such incident? If so, why are they being reactive instead of proactive?

They should have been searching clubs and patrons, routinely, if they believe criminals are hanging out at these establishments. It makes no sense to take an interest after something has happened.

Of greater note is also the need to search other clubs that are not as well known.

There are many small clubs, which have no spirit licences and have not been passed by their respective parish councils, yet they are still operating. Those clubs, too, ought to be targeted if the police are taking a new approach towards finding illegal weapons.

We are not bashing the police for the work they are doing because Jamaica has a crime problem and it needs to curbed. However, we urge them to be proactive in their approach to dealing with the issue. Stop waiting for something to happen before developing a solution when the signs were visible all along.