IN SUNDAY'S Gleaner, Percival Clarke suggested that the police should reverse the arrest of Carolyn Bygrave for having held Annaleise Davis for two days, and use the incident to educate the public. I absolutely agree.

The police have kept quiet the reason for Annaleise's leaving home, so we are not in a position to comment on that; and, obviously, there is an issue there or she would not have been taken from her family. But what we can comment on, because we know, is that no harm came to her, which was what we all feared. We also do not know why Ms Bygrave kept her, and are left to speculate that maybe she found out from the child information we are not privy to and felt she needed to intervene, albeit she broke the law.

Many Jamaicans were probably hearing this law for the first time. Regarding the other five children who went missing last week, they could be with friends, relatives, strangers and would these people be arrested too if the children are found to be with them having 'left' home?

While there is action for the police to take, there is also action that all Jamaicans can take. We have to learn what it means to be a neighbour and reach out to children who are having difficulties in their homes. Yes, it's being involved and this is at a price, but it is either this price or the ongoing issuing of Ananda Alerts which send the whole country into panic.

Which do you choose?

I am, etc.,

JOYLENE GRIFFITHS-IRVING

St Andrew