THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHAT IS happening to Jamaica? I am very concerned about the cases of child abductions over the past months.
I can't remember this being a problem in Jamaica before. I am also very disturbed about the number of women and children being raped.
I do have some suggestions which I hope will help us to scale down these violent crimes. Passengers should take only taxis that have PP plates. These taxicabs should have an identification card displayed in their cars for passengers to see. If there is no identification card, do not take that particular taxi. Once the card is displayed take down the name of the driver and the licence plate numbers and telephone a friend or your parent and pass on this information. Maybe more of us should consider using the JUTC buses, as there is no threat of abduction on these buses.
School children should travel in groups and go straight home after school. Parents should not allow their children to play too far away from their home and do not send them alone on errands. Caution your children about talking to strangers; ensure that they have sufficient money to get to and from school. Ensure that they have a curfew time to reach home and parents should call to verify that they are indeed home. As adults, we need to keep in constant contact with friends or family members while we are out on the road doing business, etc. so that someone knows where we are.
Let us try to help each other by making suggestions in this regard in order to protect our women and children in particular.
I am, etc.,
MARK MANNING
2 North, Greater Portmore
St. Catherine
