On Saturday, November 7, I went to the Tom Redcam library (which I hadn't done in many years ) for a group meeting. A member of my group came and as I was about to leave my car, told me that we were not allowed to carry bags inside. So she gave me hers and I placed them on the floor of the car and proceeded to the library.

Upon returning to the car for writing paper and opening the driver's door, I found that someone had broken the glass on the passenger side and removed our bags.

Yes, I know the drill - never leave your bags in the car and always put it in the trunk if you have to.

When I enquired of a vendor who was only two cars way from where I had parked, she said she had neither heard nor seen anything.

What was even ironic was the fact that there were security guards at the library, but they were all inside making sure that no one stole any books. Whoopee! In fact, they were kind enough to point out that there was a sign clearly placed on the property that car owners parked at their own risk. Nice.

Thanks to the criminal elements who continue to plague our person, property and society, I have now been inconvenienced and have begun the process of getting back all my IDs, notes, books, etc.

I am going to get one of those signs and put it at my yard; better yet, next time I am going to leave the car unlocked. That way, they only have to open the door. May God help us.

I am, etc.,

VIVIENNE

BETANCOURT-POWELL

vivs_pow@hotmail.com