The Editor, Sir:

With the protracted and increasing levels of crime in Jamaica today, solutions are being sought left, right, centre, far and wide. Some of the proposals being put forward have been shot down (no pun intended), while some have not even been given the chance to get off the ground.

One only has to listen to the responses to the crime plan recently put forward by the government to see what I mean. At the end of the day, though, every individual has his or her point of view. And we all are entitled to our opinion, no matter how ridiculous they may sound, as Jamaicans for Justice will tell you.

No gun amnesty

As far as crime plans go, I feel it is time to put in my two cents. Every once in a while, we hear calls for a gun amnesty and while well intentioned and not entirely without merit, this idea needs some fine-tuning or, perhaps I should say, a major overhaul.

I hear it being proposed that a reward ought to be given for the turning in of firearms and I just have to laugh and shake my head. Jamaicans, being the innovative and creative creatures they are, it wouldn't take a week to turn this into a profitable industry.

If the reward for a home-made gun is $5,000, it would probably be mass-produced in some back room and resold for $3,000 to be turned in for a small profit. Not to mention the number of licensed firearms holders who would now be at risk of being robbed and even killed for their firearms only to have same turned in at a later date for the reward. Guns would be imported on a larger scale to take advantage of the reward money.

Public contest

What I would like to see is a few of our corporate giants coming together and sponsoring a monthlong programme/promotion where $1 million in prize money is shared among the top 10 finishers in a competition. This competition would be for the general public to submit ideas on how best to tackle the crime monster the country currently faces.

Another million could deal with necessary supporting infrastructure, including wages for about 30 currently unemployed persons who would handle the expected influx of phone calls, emails and letters.

Yes, the idea may sound foolish but then again some brilliant person out there could amend it or something and no matter how it all turns out, at least a few good workable ideas would have emerged, I think.

I am, etc.,

ROBERT MITCHELL

mitcib@yahoo.ca

Christiana PO, Manchester