<B>Fighting against impunity</B>

I refer to the article entitled ?watch TV and think twice? published on 18 July last in l?express. I have watched the adverts concerning ?penalties for the most popular crimes? and consider that they can positively contribute to help address the issue of law and order. Their informative value fills the disproportionate gap between publicity around wrongdoings and sanctions reaped by those who commit them. Chances are that the afore mentioned lack of correspondence will now be compensated by the awareness raised around lesser heard penalties. This will help in fighting against a pernicious perception of impunity which undoubtedly encourages crime.

In countries like Germany, people need to purchase their tickets before traveling on board public transport. There is no permanent control like that exercised by bus conductors locally. Some might be tempted to travel without a valid ticket , but clearly displayed on the spot fines in case of relatively rare verifications, discourage most of them from taking unnecessary and costly risks. (...)

The fact that much publicity was done by the Municipality of Beau-Bassin?Rose-Hill when it introduced a fine of Rs 500 ? for littering has certainly contributed to create awareness hence making of this region one of the cleanest in Mauritius.

Informing people is an excellent preventive and educational measure which deserves to be encouraged. It certainly wont do miracles as there are many causes behind crime. For instance , some research suggests that there is even a relationship between lead level in the air and crime rate , shall we then sensibly reduce our extensive vehicle fleet ? Not so easy you would agree! The complexity of a problem does not exclude the need for readily available solutions pending the implementation of longer termed and more intricate ones more so if human lives are involved .

Therefore it is with much hope that I welcome the initiative of publicizing those penalties and wish the same awareness is created around the dangers of drug abuse using the powerful media.

<B>Alain JEANNOT</B>