Editor
Amandala
3304 Partridge St.
Belize City
Dear Sir:
Citizens continue to make a big fuss, and rightly so, about the crime situation that they are experiencing in the Jewel. The Government seems to be helpless and incapable of coming up with a long-term solution. Citizens are getting desperate, while the criminals are getting bolder daily. I say the solutions to the crime are not difficult, in fact I say that they are easy, but the truth is that it is not politically convenient and expedient for certain elements of our political parties to solve this growing problem of crime.
While the Opposition is certainly gleeful about the state of crime – something to ‘rail up’ about the Ruling Party continues to be powerless – no cojones! Neither do they have the political will. They are scared of the political fallout [that would ensue] if they come down too hard on the criminal element. Are they afraid to lose the next general elections if they do the right thing by the people and for the people?
Amandala columnists Janus and Colin have both tabled some excellent ideas in the past. The two ideas which stand out in my mind are the reactivation of the death penalty, and the introduction of the conscription or the draft system for the military.
The latter would train teenagers to become disciplined within a short time or fall on the wayside and die. In ether case, those who can’t cut it eventually relegate themselves to a life of crime, prison and certain death. Either way, who cares? “You make your bed and you lie in it.” The government would have done what it needs to do for the people.
The former is a major deterrent to crime. Backtrack to the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s and compare crime stats.
Since the advent of human rights watch groups in Belizean society, criminals have had a field day. They continue to get away, literally, with murder…
Sooner rather than later we will begin to see vigilance justice, “Jah forbids” – but citizens are tired of the brazen acts of crime, the corruption and selective enforcement of our laws, and the blatant interference of politicians into the functions of the judicial system.
It has become a situation of “dog eat dog” in the Jewel; where the strongest and the richest dogs survive.
Hell has arrived in Belize. I am of the opinion that if we do not grab the bull by its horns, enforce the existing laws, or create new ones as necessary; lawlessness will increase exponentially. Citizens, along with the Government of Belize, must ignore the human rights outcry and the political fall out which would follow.
Belizeans! Take our cities and towns back from the criminals. We can! Yes, we can; however, we need to give full support to the powers that be, which may have to take some draconian measures to stem this scourge of crime Belizeans are experiencing.
If the judicial system continues to fail us with nolle prosequi, then only Jah can help us.
At the rate that crime is growing in Belize, only direct intervention from above will dissipate this scourge of crime.
Jah help us,
(Signed)
KT Ramirez
Seine Bight