Dear Editor,

Let this be the last time that as a nation we experience the invasion of a garrison community. Let this be the last time that innocent citizens are killed in crossfire. Let this be the last time that mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends, daughters and sons worry and pray unceasingly as their loved ones in the security forces and the media journey to war in a garrison community.

This must be the last time that a community can barricade and set up roadblocks to deter free and unhindered movement of its residents, law enforcement and the nation at large. This must be the last time that thugs burn down police stations; the last time that law-abiding citizens in a community live and act in dread, against their will, because they are overpowered by fear. This must be the last time – but we must have the will.

The nation cannot go through this again – it costs too much in lives, anguish, pain, disgrace, lost production and financial resources. Once the forces clear all blockades in West Kingston, they must maintain “occupation” until the enclave is de-garrisoned. We need to ensure that social ills are corrected there. We must ensure that the infrastructure is modified so that there is no more “one way in and one way out”. If we must demolish buildings, find underground trenches, build schools and provide homework centres, then let us do so this time. We cannot leave the garrison physically or psychologically standing. If we must provide training and psychological counselling, instil wholesome values and attitudes, provide employment and stop the stigma of being unemployable because of what our address reads, then let us do so this time. If we have information to share with law enforcement, do so. No resource must be spared. Because no matter how much it costs, it will cost less than all the recurring invasions and loss of lives in the future. It will cost less than the over 500 lives lost in bloodshed and mayhem since the beginning of the year. It will cost less than all the financial resources that we have collectively spent on security.

This time it is not just about one garrison, but we need to realise that it is about every garrison community across this island. Criminals and thugs need to know that moving will not be the answer, because wherever they go there will be no safe zone. And while we are at it, this is the time to capture, imprison, bring to trial and let the justice system play its rightful role … with dispatch.

W Littlejohn

Kingston