THE EDITOR, Sir:
CELLPHONES HAVE become very popular in Jamaica and there are a number of persons who never had access to a land phone but now have cellphone/s. Also persons are giving up their land lines because they have cellphones. However there are some ways in which the use of cell phones can be helpful yet not many of us are not using it for this purpose.
Suggested use of the cellphone for security reasons:
Travelling from one point to another by public transport, use your cellphone to call or text-message a friend or family member and let them know where you are at each stage of your journey. For those taking public transport I suggest you give the licence plate number of the vehicle you are taking, and don't be discreet in doing so, thus if the driver or other persons plan to do anything wrong, they will think twice before attempting to do so.
THE YOUNG ONES
Children who have to take public transport could also let their parents know which taxi/bus they will be taking home. It is important that parents try to establish a good relationship with their children thus allowing them to communicate their whereabouts at all times. I do not endorse the use of cell phones by children during school hours, but with the crime situation it is important that parents give their children a cellphone for security reasons. So many times we see parents using the media to locate their children, it is time parents take some action to protect their children.
Taxi men have been targets for criminals, and there are a number of taxi associations in the country. In these associations the members can form small groups of four or five and whenever they get a charter to go anywhere, whether taking a sick woman to the hospital or not call at least one person in your link and let him know. No taxi should move off from a taxi stand with a charter without one of his colleagues knowing exactly where he is going. Yes the taxi man could be diverted on his way, in a case like this there may not be much that he can do, but a signal like redialling his link even if he doesn't say anything could let someone know very early that something has gone wrong.
I must add that we need to be very careful in how we display our cellphones, especially women. I do not think that we should have our cellphones hanging around our necks or anywhere on our bodies within public view, we should keep our cellphones in our handbags, avoid pockets when possible, if in your pockets keep your hand in that (not back pockets). We need to be wise in protecting ourselves in this crime-ridden society, remember criminals do not think as we do, - yes it's yours and you want to show it off - think again!
Fellow Jamaicans, let us not leave it to the security forces alone to protect us, but let us be proactive and devise ways and means to protect our families, friends and ourselves.
I am, etc.,
J. BROWN
St. Ann's Bay
