ANOTHER PENSIONER has had her life threatened by a gunman after he attempted to enter her home on Saturday night.
The 83-year-old woman said she was home alone in a St Michael district when she heard a violent rattle on her window around 10 p.m., forcing it to open.
The woman, who asked that her identity not be disclosed, said the gunman demanded that she turn off the lights and the television, while pointing the gun at her.
“He was wearing gloves and outside was dark,” she told the DAILY NATION.
Screaming while fleeing to another room, the elderly woman said she called the police who responded promptly, but by that time the culprit had scampered off.
It is the second time in less than two years that a gunman has attempted to rob her, the first being before nightfall while she was sitting at her door.
“He rushed up to me, put the gun to my head and demanded money. I screamed for life and he ran, but I can’t take this much more . . . . I fear for my life and I cannot sleep at night now. I don’t have any money, I am a retired domestic.”
Worrying trend
The area, which other residents said is becoming a hotbed for criminal activity, sees the roofs of residents’ homes being stoned “in the dead of the night” as lawless youth traverse it going to another district.
A neighbour recently had his car stolen from in front of his home.
The residents called for street lights to be installed in the dark neighbourhood.
These incidents come against the background of a worrying
trend of attacks against the elderly, one of which saw a 99-year-old Christ Church newspaper vendor’s home being invaded by gunmen last week demanding money.
Recently, 80-year-old Colin Mayers was robbed at gunpoint of his vehicle in Flint Hall, St Michael, and in May, Jeffrey Barrow, 66, was violently robbed along Belmont Road, St Michael, after leaving a credit union. In recent weeks, a 76-yearold St John woman was raped and retired physical education teacher and athlete Janita Austin was attacked by a man reportedly brandishing a machete as she made her way home after disembarking the bus in Speightstown, St Peter.
Immediate action
In condemning the attack against the 99-year-old woman, president of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, Marilyn Rice-Bowen, had stated: “This incident, coming on the heels of other recent attacks on elderly Barbadians, represents a disturbing pattern that demands immediate and decisive action. To those who would prey upon our elders, you are not just committing crimes, you are attacking the very foundation of our society . . . .”
“As a country we unite in sending a clear message that attacks on our elderly population will not be tolerated. Our seniors have earned the right to live without fear, and we will ensure they receive the protection and respect they deserve,” she added.
Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey, who has condemned the attacks as targeted and repugnant, said he hopes to present draft legislation for the protection of elderly people to Parliament soon, stressing that it will be more than talk. (JB)
