THE EDITOR, Sir:

I envy the University of the West Indies. The green-eyed monster started clawing at me when I realised that as a result of the hard work of the great 'Trinity', the university is now being rewarded with minimal acts of criminality.

Students, lecturers and other users of this institution can feel relatively safe. That is a rare feeling these days in the business hub of Papine, in which Jamaica's proudest seats of tertiary educational greatness operate.

Papine is a bomb waiting to explode. It appears to be the meeting place of another kind of greatness - criminal minds! It hosts the deviants of Mona Common, Land Lease, Kintyre, Tavern, Mud Town and some parts of August Town. Persons are frequently robbed of their cellular phones, laptops and, more commonly, vehicles are being broken into. There are other heinous things that are occurring, but I can only speak to which I have been a victim.

WORD TO THE WISE

To the students, I say, 'While you might be proud to be affiliated with a university, your boldly displayed identification cards speak only of your vulnerability as you commute daily.' To the police, I say, 'Be more vigilant! If you are aware that certain crimes occur in a particular area, patrol more frequently.'

To the communities mentioned, I say, 'Do not harbour criminals among you. Do not take or buy illicitly gained items. Report the thieves and murderers among you. You may be the next victim.'

To the policymakers, I say, 'Help!' This small bruise is about to become a rotten sore. I am desperately trying to see Vision 2030, but while our four national goals are interdependent, more attempts need to be made to ensure that 'the Jamaican society is secure, cohesive and just'.

To the victims, I say, 'I live the anguish, but let us be the voice of change. Tell your story!'

HURTING

St Andrew