Kids on streets during school hours yet nobody cares

By Aruna Lolani 15 February 2017, 12:00AM

An irate businesswoman has accused the Police of being irresponsible.

Moe Lei Sam’s outburst follows an incident where she contacted the Police for help in terms of street vendors in front of her store only to be told they couldn’t act as there was no law to stop the vendors.

 “This morning, kids were selling stuff on the street without going to school,” she said.

“So I rang the police because I was so frustrated.  I rang the police and she said to me ‘for your information madam, there is no rule or law to stop the kids from selling stuff.” 

Ms. Lei Sam said when she heard that, she was angry. She screamed at the person on the other end of the line, saying they are suppose to help when people need help.

“I don’t need an answer like this. Where do we go for help? Moe asked.

“She said she will put me through someone else but no one answered the phone.”

She went on expressing her frustrations. 

 “What if I ring the police for example and said, oh there’s a child here injured. They had a fight here in the front of my shop.  Are they going to say there’s no law? No rules? 

“As far as I’m concerned, this is suppose to be their job.”

Moe went on to say that despite the fact she has her own children and grand children, she shows her concerns because she loves these kids.

“They should be in school instead but there should be a rule to go with it.

“We try everything with people that want to help out with the vendors but nobody seems to care. 

“Samoa is supposed to be a Christian country.

“I am concerned a lot about the children. This is our future,the children.”

Moe said this isn’t her first time se has appeared on the Samoa Observer because of the same issue. 

“Last year, they came and picked up a lot of women from in front of Marias Pharmacy with the children that are selling stuff and they stopped by and said ‘you have to come with us, this is the Police.

“And I said what for?

“You’ve done your job, what else do you want?” 

She said she still went with the police and these parents were told that the next time they catch their kids not going to school, they will get fined $1,000.

“Now there are  kids everywhere and nobody dared to do anything about it. 

“What happened to that fine now? Nothing. It’s just full of talk. 

“I’m facing this problem again and again. Beginning of the year and I’ve had enough.

“And what got me angry this morning was because I rang the police and she could at least say they will try but instead she said, for your information madam, there are no such rules.

Moe said she didn’t know who else to turn to. 

“I can’t turn to a TV; you’re the only one that can voice this concern. Nobody cares. 

“As far as I’m concerned, this is what happens in this little Samoa. Nobody cares.”

It was not possible to get a comment from the Police yesterday.

By Aruna Lolani 15 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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