Police haul parents of begging boys into court
November 29, 2005
THE St Andrew South police are clamping down on street boys appearing in heavily trafficked areas in increasing numbers, and who resort to threats when their offers to wash windshields are turned down.
But, in a groundbreaking move, the cops have also placed eight parents before the courts to answer for the actions of their charges, who have stepped up their intimidation of motorists, with women as their main targets.
"We have found that they have started to become violent," said division commander Superintendent Newton Amos of the self-appointed windshield wipers.
"They do things to your car that you didn't ask them to do and ask for pay. When that pay is not forthcoming, they abuse you by using foul and indecent language. With some people they even puncture the tyres and they will hit your rear view mirror, breaking the glass," Amos told the Sunday Observer.
The boys, who are as young as six years old, normally operate from the zinc factory in the vicinity of the wharf, and at Portia Simpson Square and its environs.
They come from communities like Majesty Gardens, Payne Lands and Coburn Gardens.
Amos noted that the age groups targeted by the police are six to 12; 13 to 17; and males over 18.
To manage the problem, the police, under the new child laws, have become more creative at forcing parents to take responsibility.
"We are using a new system on them," said Amos.
"Once we hold the child, the parents are going to be charged because they must exact greater care for their children. For too long they have been allowed to walk away from it," Amos said forcefully.
The eight parents are now before the Half Way Tree Resident Magistrate's Court, having been charged a week ago with neglect of their children....
Author: Petre Williams
Source: Jamaica Observer
