Follow Singapore's example

Dear Sir,

Look out Jamaica — If you deem you will remain the crime capital of the western Atlantic 'think again!' For despite the pending enactment of some 'tepid' penalties — Bermuda's drug and murder totals may well escalate to compare with yours! Yet as with Jamaica, there exists a remedy; which over many decades has proven so effective that Singapore's claim to have the least crime and be the safest city state in the world has never been contested.

For when crime statistics are compared, no term other than minuscule — classifies this nation! Yet in Singapore — every convicted drug and gun importer is aware that these infractions — mandates no less than a hanging death in Changi Prison for 'Him or Her' — early on a Friday by means of the 'long drop' method!

As stridently brought to one's attention on arrival at the nations international Airport!

WILLIAM SCOTT

Southampton

The time has long passed

May 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

Permit me to express my views regarding the police being armed and other matters pertaining to the police and prison officer's protection. Incidentally I have made these opinions privately to the right authority and found we agreed on most things. I also wrote about this in 2005.

The time has long passed for the police to be armed. The types of criminals the police have to deal with today are armed and would not hesitate to take an officer's life.

We bury our heads in the sand if we think Bermuda is still the safe little community we knew as children and all the police need to protect themselves and the community is the truncheon. Unfortunately, drugs and other factors, which have come to our society, have made our country unsafe in many respects. I have also suggested the criminal code should be amended to include, "if any person is found guilty of killing a policeman or prison officer they should be given a sentence of complete life in prison without parole". The laws pertaining to a policeman or prison officer being harmed while in the exercise of his duty also need to be reviewed. It should be a minimum of twelve years and a maximum of life with parole.

I am pleased and fully concur with the amendments to the law brought forward recently by the Attorney General and adapted by Parliament. I also strongly support the additional amendments she has proposed to be adapted by parliament. the Government is beginning to demonstrate it is serious about dealing with the criminal element threatening to destroy our society.

One final suggestion, I strongly suggest the penalties in the law for purse snatching from tourist and our women be increased substantially. they should be a minimum of ten years. The cowardly crime of purse snatching seems to be directed at tourist and our Bermuda women who are more vulnerable. A message should be sent that the Government intends to do everything possible to protect this group. It is this kind of activity that has given Bermuda a bad name overseas and has affected Bermuda's image as a safe tourist destination.

QUINTON L. EDNESS CBE. JP.