More patrols needed in Woodbrook

THE EDITOR: Newsday’s headlines of May 29, 03 were shocking, frightening and bizarre.

A 14-year-old Form 2 student of the Tranquillity Government Secondary School was stabbed to death by a prostitute in the Woodbrook area. Now according to the news story, what occurred was a heated exchange of words over a sum of money (the amount alleged is $80.00), and then the woman took an icepick out of her purse and stabbed the boy. How sad! Also the news story has contradictory reports from his mother, as to what actually happened that night were different as to what was reported. The story also reported the woman fled the scene after the incident, eyewitnesses made a report to the police, also the boy knew the woman who stabbed him. Why was this young man allowed to be out of his home at that hour of the night? The boy lost his life tragically, could it have been prevented?

The area of Woodbrook where the incident occurred is a well-known area for its nighttime activity where prostitutes and notorious characters ply their trade. The area is lonely and quiet at nighttime and these “ladies (men included) of the night” can be seen standing on the street corners at “ungodly” hours of the morning in the hope of attracting clients/customers. A very dangerous practice, residents are in their homes at that hour of the night, and yet loud screams and shouting can be heard coming from the streets, how disturbing for the residents and their night sleep. Will the relevant authorities step up their patrol within that area? Yes we must be careful and cautious, crime is always nearby, but we have to be aware of criminal activity and crime which surrounds us daily.

KEN SMITH
Woodbrook