Dear Editor,
Essequibo is for the most part a quiet place with very little crime, so we were all in shock when our sanctuary was invaded earlier this year. We suspected that the incidents were perpetuated by persons from off the coast.
Then the police did a good job of apprehending the bandits and we all breathed a sigh of relief and life went on as normal as we trusted the judicial system to do its work and to protect us.
So it was with outrage and disbelief when we learnt that the magistrate had let these men out on bail. We are all aware of the proliferation of gun crimes and efforts to get tough on these forms of criminal offence. More alarming was the weapons these men had in their possession; M70 is an army assault weapon that is highly dangerous.
This magistrate by his actions is either making a mockery of the judicial system or has a total disregard for the safety of the residents of Essequibo.
Yours faithfully,
Vincent Ferreira
