Dear Editor,
In recent times, the Mandeville area, specifically surrounding Northern Caribbean University (NCU), have become a hot spot for crime. These crimes are normally in the form of robberies. The attacks now number, on average, about two to three daily; students are mostly the victims. Sometimes the students are not only robbed, but are wounded.
Consequently, many students find it rather difficult to remain on campus during off-peak hours. This curtails the time allowed to go to the library as if one stays late, it increases the risk of being robbed.
The university administration and the United Student Movement (student government) [USM] have responded with a bus shuttle system. Though a good initiative, it is still not enough to ‘rescue’ our students from the gruesome attacks. Some students are robbed at midday, the evening shuttles don’t help them.
Could it be that what we are doing is addressing the effect and not the cause?
I believe, based on all that has been happening, the local community in Mandeville does not know the value of the university within their community. Could it be that a workable strategy to countering crime is to educate the people on the benefits of the university to them? During periods when NCU is on holiday, Mandeville is like a remote area — businesses suffer, taxis suffer, the effects continue.
Perhaps, we could initiate a community drive that would seek to demolish the walls between ‘us’ and ‘them’. Perhaps NCU students will need to start being more polite, down to earth and courteous to those living around them. How about little acts of kindness to the people in their community? I am convinced that the NCU administration and the USM do not realise that the complexity of solution is as simple as exposing the worth of the university to the community.
I appeal to all stakeholders to get on board with the anti-crime movement in an attempt to protect your greatest assets — the students. Talk of us having community meetings sound really great but the question is, how effective are these community meetings? How about staging a few protests prior to these meetings? We could use these protests to get the attention of the community, then we call for a meeting. How about even a community fair or a sports day, or something being held on the campus with great emphasis being placed on community involvement?
Wrenae Hudson
wrenae@stu.ncu.edu.jm
In recent times, the Mandeville area, specifically surrounding Northern Caribbean University (NCU), have become a hot spot for crime. These crimes are normally in the form of robberies. The attacks now number, on average, about two to three daily; students are mostly the victims. Sometimes the students are not only robbed, but are wounded.
Consequently, many students find it rather difficult to remain on campus during off-peak hours. This curtails the time allowed to go to the library as if one stays late, it increases the risk of being robbed.
The university administration and the United Student Movement (student government) [USM] have responded with a bus shuttle system. Though a good initiative, it is still not enough to ‘rescue’ our students from the gruesome attacks. Some students are robbed at midday, the evening shuttles don’t help them.
Could it be that what we are doing is addressing the effect and not the cause?
I believe, based on all that has been happening, the local community in Mandeville does not know the value of the university within their community. Could it be that a workable strategy to countering crime is to educate the people on the benefits of the university to them? During periods when NCU is on holiday, Mandeville is like a remote area — businesses suffer, taxis suffer, the effects continue.
Perhaps, we could initiate a community drive that would seek to demolish the walls between ‘us’ and ‘them’. Perhaps NCU students will need to start being more polite, down to earth and courteous to those living around them. How about little acts of kindness to the people in their community? I am convinced that the NCU administration and the USM do not realise that the complexity of solution is as simple as exposing the worth of the university to the community.
I appeal to all stakeholders to get on board with the anti-crime movement in an attempt to protect your greatest assets — the students. Talk of us having community meetings sound really great but the question is, how effective are these community meetings? How about staging a few protests prior to these meetings? We could use these protests to get the attention of the community, then we call for a meeting. How about even a community fair or a sports day, or something being held on the campus with great emphasis being placed on community involvement?
Wrenae Hudson
wrenae@stu.ncu.edu.jm