For the third time this month, a 99 year old woman was robbed of her belongings by burglars targeting her home.
The Christ Church resident and newspaper vendor was recently hit by thieves who she said tried to make off with her earnings.
The senior said the incident happened yesterday around 7 p.m. when she settled in to watch television and noticed a presence in her home.
She called out to the person and asked what they were doing inside her home.
She then went to her door and called out for help.
This has been the fifth attack on elderly people in recent months. Jeffrey Barrow, 66, was robbed along Belmont Road, St Michael; 80-year-old Colin Mayers was the victim of a carjacking; retired teacher Janita Austin was attacked at Heywoods, St Peter, and a 76-year-old woman was raped in St John.
The Barbados Association of Retired Person (BARP) condemned the “despicable act”.
“This unconscionable crime represents an attack not only on a vulnerable member of our community, but on the values of respect and protection that should define our society,” said a statement from president Marilyn Rice-Bowen
“We are deeply troubled to learn that this elderly woman, who has served her community faithfully as a newspaper vendor, has been targeted before. This pattern of victimisation is unacceptable and demands immediate action from our law enforcement agencies and community leaders.”
Rice-Bowen said the psychological harm can’t be ignored even though there was no physical harm.
She called on the Barbados Police Service to give priority to this investigation, increase patrols in areas with vulnerable, elderly residents. Additionally, members of the community need to look out for the elderly, government should review and strengthen protocols protecting seniors from crime and “society as a whole to remember that our elders deserve dignity, respect, and security in their golden years”. (JRN/SAT)
