DURING THE festive season, pickpockets, robbers and other menacing characters are about as plentiful as Christmas cake and sorrel. We've got some stay-safe tips, take you through the season and stories from a few readers.Last Friday as I left my home in Pembroke Hall, St. Andrew, for work I noticed a man in his late 30s on a bicycle. As I approached him he called out, " Hey! Hey!"
I kept on walking without responding, heading for the bus stop. I glanced back and realised that he was slowly riding behind me. I got scared and stopped at the gate of Boulevard Super Centre where there were two security guards. The man also stopped -- but on the other side of the gate. He stood there staring at me menacingly. This freaked me out so I told one of the security guards what was happening and he told me that the man could not harm me as long as he was there.
I therefore stayed put. However, there was not one bus or taxi in sight and the man just stood there with his bicycle watching me. Finally, not wanting to go down to the bus stop by myself, I asked the security guard to help me get a taxi. After about 15 minutes of standing in fear the security guard flagged down a taxi and I quickly jumped in. Since then I make sure to scope out the surroundings before leaving the safety of my home.
- Keisha Shakespeare, 25, reporter
Two weeks ago, at about 2:00 p.m., I was walking from York Pharmacy in Half-Way Tree towards Tastee where a lot of men were hanging out. One of the men, who looked rather rugged, said hi to me but I kept on walking. Suddenly he started to follow and curse me.
"A just because mi ugly why yu nuh wan' fi talk to mi but a bet if yu did ugly like mi yu wouldda talk to mi cause nuh body else wouldda talk to yu," he said.
GRABBED MY HAND
At one point he grabbed my hand and I got mad and told him to let go. Luckily, he did. I started to walk faster and by the time I reached the Esso Gas Station near Pavilion Mall where I was going to take a taxi I looked behind me and he was gone.
What bothered me the most about the situation was that people were walking by and saw what was taking place but no one offered to help.
- Sandra Winter, 24
Two years ago I was coming from school at about 8:00 p.m. I had a late class and did not have a straight ride home. Therefore I had to take a taxi into Mandeville town and then another taxi to Junction, St. Elizabeth. From there I had to take yet another taxi to Southfield, St Elizabeth where I lived.
After waiting for 45 minutes I became worried. By what I thought was mere chance a man drove up and, in my desperation, I asked him for a ride to Southfield. He said yes.
I jumped in and on the way we made polite conversation about politics and current events. When he got to my turn off, however, he just continued driving straight. I got scared and asked where he was taking me.
He said: "Yu know how long mi nuh get some sex? Three years now."
He stopped the car and unlocked his belt and unzipped his pants and asked me if I was ready. I said no and he started to curse, saying, "Yu too wicked. Look how mi give yu free drive and yu caan give me some."
Without any more hesitation I quickly told him to let me out and that I would walk the rest of the way. He said he would take me home. He drove off but started arguing with me again.
I started to open the door to get out but he reassured me that he was going to behave and would take me home. He then drove me to the entrance of my district and I got out and walked the few chains to my home.
I learned the biggest lesson of my life -- never take rides from strangers.
- Sharon Simpson, 23, secretary.
Three weeks ago on the way home I noticed a man following me. It was about 8:30 p.m. I quickened my steps and he did the same. Finally, I reached my gate but the man was right behind me. I decided that I was not going to open the gate. He man walked right up to me and said: "A yah so yu live."
I said no, I was visiting a friend.
He then said: "Yu pretty though."
I did not respond and he walked away.
Two days later I was on my way home when I noticed the same man following me. I did the same as the last time and did not open the gate. I just stood outside the gate. He walked up to me and said, "How yu sey yu nuh live yah so?"
I said to him that I did not live there I was just visiting a friend. He answered, "Yu sure yu nuh live around here because mi see yu walking on this street a lot of time and mi know sey yu live around here."
This made me terrified but I felt a big relief when he walked away, although not before giving me a terrifying look. Now I know that I have to find a new place to live or get someone to walk home with me.
- Karen Beale, 21, Public Relations Officer
