More than 200 children sustain injuries in traffic accidents annually in Jamaica, and there were 31 vehicle crash-related child fatalities in 2009. Additionally, there are hundreds more who have suffered psychological damage. These numbers spurred the financial institution to ramp up efforts to curb the problem, so last year they launched the Street Smart campaign. 20 schools are currently involved in the campaign, and a team (which includes doctors and traffic cops) visits these schools from time to time. They give road-safety instructions, and the police use video clips and other hands-on methods to educate the children on best practices on roadways.

Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) constant vigilance on the road should put to shame some of its critics. The members are no paragons of perfection but there seems to be a concerted effort to live up to their motto. I lift my hat to them for the work they are doing.

Too often, we are prone to condemn members of the force for their lawless behaviour. Too often, we rile about their extrajudicial killings. Too often, we show contempt for their immoral behaviour. However, when some members do or even try to do the correct thing, they become unsung heroes. They seem to be invisible … more

Dear Editor,

The old, tired, worn-out practice of our police on major roads/highways pointing hand-held radars (‘blow dryers’) at suspected speeding motorists, sometimes at risk to themselves, has outlived its usefulness.

The deterring effects of this practice are no longer effective simply because cellphone calls and other motorists flashing their high beams would alert unsuspecting speeding motorists and criminals to the presence of the police up ahead … more

Dear Editor,

The chairman of the Special Constables Force Association, Special Sergeant St George Jackson, is reported in The Gleaner of June 6 as having called on the authorities to end the evaluation of traffic police officers based on the number of traffic tickets they issue.

Thank you, Special Sergeant Jackson, for making that call at your association’s annual conference. This confirms what many have long suspected: that the traffic police issue speeding tickets in high volumes both to impress their superiors, and to raise money for the Government. This practice is aided and abetted, in my opinion, by many inappropriately low speed limits set by other departments of government … more

Constable Samuel Spence is charged jointly with Kenneth Peart (a wrecker driver who is facing charges of soliciting and aiding and abetting).

When they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, the court was told that Spence, who was conducting traffic duties, had reportedly stopped a motorist. The motorist was told that his car would be seized, and was instructed to drive to the Constant Spring Police Station. The policeman then reportedly demanded $15,000 in order for the vehicle to be released and the charges dropped.

It is alleged that Spence told the motorist to speak with Peart, who would further explain what was to be done.

The matter was later reported to the Anti-Corruption Branch, which carried out a sting operation. After money was collected from the complainant, Spence and Peart were both arrested and charged.