All we need is a round-up of criminals

THE EDITOR: The present national siege by criminal elements is giving rise to irrational demands.  Community protests against crime will not impress criminals nor move them to desist.

Nor will the Government receive inspiration from public embarrassment.
Protest should reasonably be launched only after Government refuses to act upon good advice and suggestions that are clearly worthwhile.  Government must be recognised by its failure so far, to be bankrupt of ideas to solve our spiralling crime rate. Having been elected to office, there is nothing that the electorate can do to reprove the administration meaningfully until its term expires.  The Opposition of course cannot be reproved in any circumstances and they may be fully expected to hinder the Government’s inactivity to solve the crime wave by non-cooperation on non-issues.

What seems most vital to both Government and Opposition is the public political ramajaying before a distressed gallery. Our efficient Police service should be aware of known criminals and we should have a list of all returnee criminals repatriated courtesy the US government in recent years.  The increased efficiency of criminals seems linked to this last element. Police brutality never seems to be properly directed.  Those who are most innocent seem to experience this the most.  Criminals with records seem to be treated with greater circumspection.  Bail is rarely denied.

Now, it seems to me that with the resources of increased police, known criminals both indigenous and repatriated, and established informers, all we need now is a limited state of emergency so that a general round up may be effected in the style of the Guantanamo bay resort. Opposition cooperation will not be necessary. But the administration seems very concerned about our international image being misinterpreted.  It seems quite proper to be labelled a criminal-controlled country, but unacceptable to be seen as an imaginary Police state.

M F RAHMAN
Lange Park