Stop Traffic Light Harassment in Kingston

"Who has not been a victim of that false sense of entitlement playing out as begging and window washing extortion at the traffic light 'jail'? ('Misplaced sense of entitlement', Rattray, July 30) I certainly have been a victim, even to the point of verbal abuse by a guy who says he's been watching me for "how long now - and yuh never yet give me a money".

I am clearly unaware of this duty and so deserved the "every name under the book" that he called me. And I do mean under the book, as none of those names should ever be published in a book.

I am not prone to violence, but my heart and soul cried out to visit violence on this abuser for weeks after this violation. Certainly, this is not all we should do: leave this as an air of entitlement and drive past the abusers with mock sincerity and humility at being humiliated for not parting with our own hard-earned money.

I remember an outcry when there was a call to remove such guys from the lights. Where will they go? How will they live? As if this venom-filled extortion at traffic lights is a livelihood more honourable than lottery scamming.

Traffic light extortion, I dare say, affects all Jamaicans who drive. That's a lot of people. That's a lot of abuse. Dare we do nothing, and allow this venom to work its way into the heart of our society?"

MICHAEL H.
Jamaica Gleraner, July 31, 2012