By Denise Clarke, Staff Reporter
Deputy Superintendent Linette Williams-Martin.
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHEN THE team of six police officers led by Deputy Superintendent Linette Williams-Martin made their way to the remote area of Golden Grove in Hanover, they had no idea what was in store for them.
They had gone to assist an elderly woman who they heard was living alone and was in dire need of care. When the officers arrived, however, they were moved by the sight that met them. There was not one, but three elderly persons, none of them able to assist the others.
Elizabeth Murray, her husband Daniel and Mrs. Murray's sister Rhoda Hodgekins were barely able to move around. Mrs. Murray, or 'Ms. Lizzie' as she is called, can't quite remember her age. She claims to be 84, then said she was born in 1960. "Check it," she said, "...and you will see that it right".
ALL NEGLECTED
Her sister, Mrs. Hodgekins, said she was born in 1914, making her 89 this year. Her husband died several years ago and she never had children. Both women said they had raised several children, but none returned to offer them assistance. Mr. Murray is the father of three grown children outside of his marriage but he, too, has been neglected.
The women were barely able to walk and had no-one to assist them. Mr. Murray is deaf and blind. Dirt covered the floor of the two-apartment board house in which they live. Ms. Hodgekins was sleeping on the bare mattress and there was no food in the house. A rusty metal drum about a quarter filled with rainwater, provided the only source of the precious liquid for washing, cooking and even drinking.
TREATED WITH CARE
The officers had brought with them groceries but knew they had to do more. Three officers left to buy cleaning products, while the others started a fire. Daniel James, a handyman at the Ramble Police Station, cooked a hearty meal of rice and corned beef and by the time the other officers had returned, the elderly trio were enjoying their meals. Mrs. Murray, who said she is 'sick with her nerves', was shaking uncontrollably and had to be fed by Supt. Williams.
GETTING THE HANDS DIRTY
After lunch, the officers decided to get their hands dirty. Women Corporals Charmaine Baker and Charlene Gray-Morris set about washing and combing the elderly ladies' hair, while Supt. Williams-Martin assisted by CCN liaison officer Sergeant Dowton Martin washed Mr. Murray's hair. Woman Corporal Michelle Brown, assisted by Mr. James wiped and polished the floor of the house. Two empty kerosene lamps were also refilled. When the officers were finished cleaning the house was a far cry from when they first came.
Overcome with gratitude, Ms. Hodgekins burst into tears as the officers were about to leave. The officers agreed that more needed to be done for the three senior citizens, and pledged to return to give more assistance.
