In response to Jennifer Riley's letter of Jan. 10 ("Why So Reluctant to Provide Help?"), I must say she is very naive.

First, it is hard to believe any law officer in North Carolina would not have made a call for the gentleman if he had only asked. When the gentleman was asked if he was all right, he should have asked the officer to call AAA for him.

As far as her brother-in-law being clean-cut, that doesn't mean a whole lot. It sounds like he should have made some arrangements for transportation while his car was in the shop.

At least twice last year in neighboring Richmond County, good Samaritan motorists gave clean-cut people at convenience stores a short lift, only to be robbed and severely beaten. One of those was a close relative of mine.

Riley would probably feel much differently if she had gone to a hospital to see her husband with his nose broken, facial bones broken, ankle broken, ribs cracked and cuts and bruises on his body from being beaten for just trying to help someone, as was the case with my family member.

I have often stopped to offer assistance to stranded motorists but am always very cautious, especially with strangers. Most of the time, they or someone else have already made a call for assistance.

Bobby Laton

Aberdeen