Dear Editor,

The low apprehension rate of criminals is sending the wrong signal; meanwhile, they continue to carry out their barefaced and cruel acts.

Not only is the apprehension rate sending the wrong signal but the security forces’ lack of action in dealing with blatant white collar crimes is also of concern.

According to police statistics, some 300 murders were committed in the first quarter of 2023, to date only 15 suspects have been apprehended and none convicted. Such frightening statistics are not good for a country bedevilled by rampant criminality.

Our present apprehension rate is far worse than Haiti’s and is among the worst in the world, including Sudan and Syria,which are in active civil war.

This Band-Aid approach to crime fighting has gone on for too long. The use of the unconstitutional states of emergency has not worked, as under their implementation criminality continues unabated. The Government has collected enough taxes from citizens to equip the police with the necessary manpower and other investigative assets to curb crime.

Corruption has a direct bearing on the level of criminality — the higher the corruption, the higher the level of criminality.

All of these are ballot box issues that must be addressed. Staying away from the ballot box will only cause criminality to increase, thereby plunging the country into failed State status.

Fernandez Smith

fgeesmith@yahoo.com