Dear Editor,
Mr. Clarke’s letter captioned “These international events will test the nation’s character” (07.01.11) is on target when he calls for better standards of behaviour and greater effort from all Guyanese to make the upcoming international events a success and not a black mark on Guyana. Laws must be adopted to provide heavy penalties for vandalism, attacks on overseas visitors and littering. I am afraid that Guyana is not really ready to host most of these events, due to poor security, lodgings, sanitation and bad attitudes/behaviour of the public at large.
We must recognise our shortcomings as outsiders see us and attempt to address them. Criminals start looking for victims at airports, hotels and tourist venues. Undercover police and private security guards must jointly plan their strategy by thinking like the criminals to determine how they spot and rob their victims, and act accordingly. Anticipation is a big part of prevention. Overseas Guyanese visitors must take greater precautions, as they have become prey for criminals from the airport to their destinations. One successful police tactic is to use decoys in high crime areas to catch criminals. The airport should be limited to those persons that have a legitimate reason to be there, including a better regulated taxi service.
Finally, all Guyanese must help make visitors’ stay pleasant and safe by being helpful and courteous.
Yours faithfully,
(name and address supplied)
