Letter to the Editor | Phone snatching victim dissatisfied with police response

Following yesterday's incident involving the shooting of a phone snatcher along Half-Way Tree Road, a reader has written to The Gleaner detailing her ordeal a week ago. 

She is concerned about the response of the police to address this longstanding problem. 

See her letter below:

Anxiety, anger and fear are a few characteristics that explain the traumatic experience encountered while sitting in traffic on Half-Way Tree Road heading on to Balmoral Avenue in Kingston, just a week ago.

My dilemma stems from the fact that my personal space was intruded upon by hoodlums, who reached into my car and stole my phone that was placed on my lap.

I've heard about the many instances where individuals who live and work in Half-Way Tree and New Kingston have been terrorised by unscrupulous people who rob, abuse and drive fear in to law-abiding citizens.

In many of these instances, the robbers escaped into nearby gullies.

The criminal that stole my phone was one such person whose escape route was the gully that runs behind Tropical Battery. 

As a female, I am peeved at the fact that the police who are to serve and protect us, are afraid to go into the gully because the robbers may "throw acid on them".

This was the very statement a colleague of mine was told when she explained that the tracker on her phone indicated that it was in the gully.

It is obvious that the gully is home to individuals who are committing criminal activities. 

Why then is NOTHING being done to address this matter - "NUTT'N"? 

Why are citizens to live in fear while these hoodlums use the gully as their Zone of Criminal Operation (ZOCO)? 

If the police are afraid what are the citizens left to do? 

Who will protect and reassure us? 

What is the solution?  

Police are now investigating yet they said they were unable to go where they are because the phone snatchers would hurt them.

Really no? No justice!

I am etc;​​
​kimonereid68@gmail.com