MAY PEN IN JAMAICA ......IS NO PLAY PEN

:::::::::::::::::::::LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:::::::::::::::


This is an open letter to the commander, Area Three Police - Clarendon.

Dear Sir:

Please bear with me as I relate an experience that I had on December 25, as I travelled through the Frankfield square. Let me first admit that having had this experience every 'Christmas morning' for the last few (at least three) years, this is the first time I have sought to bring the situation to the attention of the authorities.

About 6 a.m., my mother and I were less than one kilometre from the Frankfield square, as we made our way to a Christmas morning service a few miles away.

We knew it was not a good sign when we noticed that vehicles had been parked on both sides of the roadway, thereby reducing it to single- lane traffic flow.

You see, we had experienced the same thing in previous years and, therefore, knew the challenges that might have been ahead. Nevertheless, we pressed on.

Worst fears realised

Our worst fears were realised about half an hour later when we came to a standstill at the roundabout in the square, where a street dance was in progress. The roadway was blocked and we could neither 'seven nor eleven'.

As we waited at the mercy of persons attending the dance, the vehicle began to vibrate. I noticed that it was caused from a little boy and a little girl who seemed to be having way too much fun to realise or care about what was happening, so I interrupted them. The little boy responded, "Sorry, but a jus' di daggering."

Just then, I wondered what would have happened if someone had a medical emergency and needed to be rushed to the Percy Junor Hospital in Spaldings. The answer was obvious.

My thoughts were interrupted when my mother exclaimed that there seemed to be a fight, as a man had been seen violently hoisting a woman on to a vehicle, and she saw no police around. I looked across to where she pointed and was able to reassure her that it was not a fight - it was jus 'di daggering'.

Remained stuck

Shortly after, a voice boomed words to the effect, "Di officer seh if oonu mek di traffic flow, wi can gwaan fi half-hour more." My feeling of relief was short-lived, as we remained stuck. However, more 'encouragement' came in words to the effect, "Mi love how oonu a free up di traffic."

Desperate for a solution, I wondered how difficult it would have been for that 'strategy' to have been put to work for the duration of the dance. We remained stuck for another 10 or so minutes, after which we were able to get through the square about 7:10 a.m. It had taken us over one hour to cover less than one kilometre!

I have been told that the Frankfield police generally do a good job, so my guess is that they need help with this one. Commander, please help.

I am, etc.,

MICHELLE SIMPSON