THE EDITOR, Sir:
ANYONE READING the letter of Friday October 7, about crime in Mona Heights, would get the impression of a laid-back community just waiting for negative things to happen.
We have a very active Citizens' Association with a dynamic, hard-working president. We have road coordinators on every road who report any crimes committed on their streets to the Matilda's Corner Police Station, Neighbourhood Watch and Citizens' Association. The community police programme in Mona Heights has worked very well and we must commend corporals Woodstock and Grant and Inspector Michael Simpson for their achievements in this area. King Alarm also has a base in the community.
We recently circulated a security newsletter to residents of the community. The newsletter was prepared by a prominent security expert, and outlined measures residents can take to protect themselves and their property from certain crimes. Citizens also watch out for their neighbours' homes if they have to be away and have an alarm system between each other. Yes, crimes do take place, but not on a large scale.
In order to make Mona Heights a gated community, millions of dollars would need to be invested in security infrastructure and provision of 24-hour guard service at the four entrances to the scheme. Where would this money come from?
We trust that more residents, like the writer of Friday's letter, will become members of the association and become involved with serving the community, which is the biggest deterrent to escalation of crime.
I am, etc.,
MARJORIE M. ANDERSON
Public Relations
Mona Heights Citizens' Association
