ON Thursday, August 12, at about 10:10, I was shocked and saddened at an incident that occurred on the intersection of Warrior Crescent and Old Main Road in Hillcrest. A motor cyclist, who was stopped at the traffic light in Warrior Crescent, got off his bike and reportedly slapped a young street person, in the face, who was ‘begging’ for money and food at the robot.
I did not witness the assault or what gave rise to it, as I had turned into Warrior Crescent from Old Main Road a few seconds after the incident occurred. Unfortunately, the traffic light turned green and the motor-cyclist rode away before I could find out from him what had happened.
The young man, who is about 22 years old, was quite distraught and crying. I was able to calm him after a few minutes of speaking with him. He gave me his account of what had taken place, but I do not have the other person’s side. I am fairly familiar with his (the victim) personal and family circumstances, which are quite dire, and I’m not sure if there was a truly justifiable reason for his being assaulted.
I have not written this letter to point fingers at anyone, or become involved in a public engagement about the event, but rather to hopefully make contact with the motor-cyclist, to be able to discuss the incident with him and understand his views. He may obtain my contact details from the Highway Mail.
Highway residents, please give thought to the possibility that not every single person who begs at the intersections in our communities is soliciting money to buy drugs, or is ‘up to no good’, as is often remarked.
Some of them are there through circumstances not of their own making, despite what many others might presume. And, through their begging for money and food, they are the only means of survival and support for school-going and younger siblings, as well as aged and ill family members, who live in the greater Highway area, most often under rather dreadful conditions.
Hilton
Hillcrest
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