While we understand Mr. Daley's concern about the prostitutes and his fear that they may be driven underground and away from HIV treatment, he is forgetting that these prostitutes, who he says should be left on the streets, are plying their trade right in front of people's homes.

It is not a pleasant situation to have prostitutes beckoning to you and your guests as you drive home. Perhaps, if Mr. Daley wants to keep them on the streets he could offer space in front of his home?

I have two corrections to the article "Robbed of Sleep" in the Sunday Observer of February 26.

On page 10, I am quoted as saying, "If you look at the situation now, it seems that over the next 10 years that the area will be nothing but commercial areas," while the time frame that I said over the phone was "over the next few decades" - 10 years seems too short for that situation to occur.

More important, on page 7 the article says, "The NKCA turned to the press, Newman told the Sunday Observer, Friday, after failing to get a response to correspondence to the town clerk at the KSAC, begging for action to curtail night noises and oversight of the legitimacy of businesses in the area."

This statement is erroneous and gives the wrong impression. The letter that was sent to the town clerk at the KSAC, was sent, as I said Friday, "several years ago". I have since checked that the date on the letter is from 1996, and was clearly sent to a different KSAC administration from the current one. That letter had nothing to do with our decision to turn to the press, which was twofold: to highlight the problems and to lend our voices of support to the mayor's actions to "clean up" New Kingston.

Clubs such as Mas Camp, Carlos Café, the Deck, Escape 24/7, as well as outdoor sessions held on Old Hope Road, operate very close to residences and play their music in the open air, causing much disturbance," said the NKCA email.

"These events are even held on weeknights, robbing residents of a peaceful nights sleep when they have work the following day."
The citizen's association asserts that several businesses and nightclubs that have cropped up in the community are operating in residential areas, without the required 'change of use' permits for such operations.

The law has to be respected, even at nights. Mayor McKenzie has tried to enforce the law in New Kingston and has been criticised in many quarters for his actions. However, it seems to us that the mayor is just doing his job, and should be commended for doing so. Knutsford Boulevard and its environs cannot be allowed to disintegrate into night-time disorder.

Contacted yesterday, Sean Newman, president of the New Kingston Civic (Citizens') Association, confirmed the mayor's report, stating that residential life has become "unbearable in New Kingston".

"Sometimes the music is so loud, some residents' windows shake," he said, adding that some entertainment operators open their businesses as late as 6:00 a.m.