The lead story in Tuesday's STAR is a frightening one and quite timely too.

According to the story, women and children in the western end of the island believe they are being stalked by HIV-positive men who are bent on spreading the disease. The story also explained that the men used rope to capture their victims.

The story comes at a time when people are becoming more conscious of safety issues and more aware of their environment. There have been several incidents of rape and abduction in recent weeks, as well as reports of near misses.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that personal safety is a critical issue and women, especially, are being forced to take extra precautions when going about their daily lives.

It is sad that nothing is being done about this surge in lawlessness and nothing is being said to assure the citizens of this country that something will be done. The sense of country and national pride that all Jamaicans felt during the Olympics is quickly being erased by feelings of fear and a growing desire to leave this country.

If this problem is allowed to grow without serious intervention on the part of the authorities, there will be very few people left in this country to protect.