Misplaced priorities

The Editor, Sir:

As I listened to the news on one of our radio stations on the alleged murder of five men in St James on the weekend of April 24, I was forced to reflect on the more than 600 murders committed in our island since the start of the year.

I had to wonder why this subject is not being given as much attention by the thinkers and writers and the shapers of opinion as they are obviously giving to the discussion on whether the minister of justice was right or wrong in her decision not to issue the warrant to begin the process of extradition hearings for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Our priorities are obviously misplaced. We spend an enormous amount of time and energy discussing the Coke issue while very little is said about the social explosion of crime and antisocial behaviour which threatens the stability of this land.

This is consistent with the way we as a people view our own problems as against the problems of other nations.

There is a section of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) which quite often makes the news as the Fugitive Apprehension Team. There is the appearance of great efficiency and effectiveness in their tracking and apprehending of persons wanted by the United States of America. We wish that the JCF or some section would show similar efficiency and effectiveness in tracking down the gunmen who are murdering our own people at an alarming rate. Or is it that this subject takes second place to the request made by the United States of America for the extradition of Mr Coke.

It may be that we place greater emphasis on what is important to the United States of America than what is of importance to us?

I am, etc.,

ERROL GENTLES

Kingston