Some women living in the vicinity of this country’s most recent murder are expressing concern about their neighborhood.{{more}}

The Queen’s Drive women are calling for more frequent police patrols of the area, and for the area where the crimes were committed to be better lighted.

One resident, who has been living in the area for the past 16 years, said that the recent incident, coupled with the shooting death of Jamaican John Jennings on May 5th, 2008, just a few houses away, is making her more concerned about her safety and that of her young daughter.

The woman, who refused to give her name, said that the death of 27-year-old Rakesh Sutherland comes as a shock and surprise to her, since he was a quiet and friendly person who was well known and liked by persons in the area.

“He was a cool guy. I never hear anything bad about him. People was always by them drinking and enjoying themselves.”

“It’s real sad. I feel it for them.”

The woman herself had twice been the victim of attempts to break into her home.

Another female resident who lives not too far from the scene of the crime said that since the incident, she has been unable to sleep well at nights.

“Sometimes when my boyfriend is not here, is me alone who here. I don’t feel safe.”

Another female resident, a mother of two boys, indicated that she would like to see more police presence, and more street lights in the area which is usually dark and deserted at night.

She said that another area in the vicinity, called “The Quarry”, is notorious for rapes and robberies, which usually go unreported.

“These days a lot of people in here, when they get in, they stay in – even if they have a vehicle.”

“They should cut down all these trees here, too,” she added, pointing to a dense clump of trees just across from the house where Sutherland lived.

“I hope they catch whoever did this, because until then we won’t feel safe at all.” (JJ)