Dear Editor,

With the crime rate spiralling as it has been for years and people in anguish, gangs have been blamed for the vast majority of the crimes in Jamaica. The current and previous ministers of national security have poured scorn on gangs as they are seen as a sore that never seems to heal.

Recently, the minister of national security sought to bring legislation to target gangs and their members in an effort to reduce the trauma suffered by the average man in the street. However, we must ask what sense this legislation will make if the two largest and most powerful gangs in Jamaica are aligned to both political parties. How can we the average citizens see any ray of hope in such legislation when it could affect the very base of either party?

It is no longer a secret that both parties have members who run or are affiliated with gangs, whether at the grass-roots or executive level. That is the reason why to this day garrisons cannot be dismantled as they play a role in the power structure of each party. Which man is willing to undertake the suicide mission of undermining his own house to win the favour of the public? I think none. This legislation proposed cannot and will not target the major gangs, as truth be told there is too much to lose on either side. I hate to be sceptical so early before hearing the full details, but common sense compels me to be just that – sceptical.

Phillip Gallas

localizerjm@yahoo.com