States of emergency can't be long term

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Some people are misguided in thinking that the state of emergency should be enforced over the next 10 years. If we want state-of-emergency conditions, just reinstate the Suppression of Crimes Act, which gave the police similar-type powers.

The state of emergency called in 1976 period was characterised by the kick-down, box-down, lock-up, net-fishing and shoot-down squaddie mentality of policing. Civility declined.

Solving crime must be data-driven. Where are the social scientists, particularly social anthropologists and sociologists, on board and to whom no one seems to listen?

MICHAEL SPENCE

micspen2@hotmail.com

PO Box, 630 Liguanea