On Sunday, the members of the Guyana Police Force apprehended four young people who they had found soliciting funds from members of the public along Sheriff Street in the city. It would seem that they did not have the necessary permission to engage in that activity. However, according to a police press release issued on Monday, the young people were neither held nor charged, but warned that they should desist from the illegal activity and sent along their way.
Soliciting money from members of the public (begging) along the roadways has assumed alarming proportions. One wonders why it took the police this long to recognize this and to act. It raises the question as to whether this group of youthful beggars invoked the ire of anyone in particular that might have caused the police to act.
Traversing certain streets has become tricky over the past year or so as the numerous solicitors stake out spots near junctions or traffic lights, where persons are bound to stop. The usual suspects include the obvious drug and alcohol addicts at Camp and Lamaha streets, Camp and Middle streets, Camp Street and North Road and Lamaha Street and Vlissengen Road. Then there are others – some with obvious physical disabilities – who sometimes frequent these same corners or others nearby; they tend to move along when they notice the traffic lights change. However, they sometimes cannot get out of the way quickly enough and would impede the smooth flow of traffic.
For some time now, mostly on Sundays, the members of various local youth and sport clubs would stand at certain points along Sheriff Street to solicit funds, holding up their club’s banner and a cardboard carton for the donations. More recently, young children – some who look as young as ten years old – would stand on streets near traffic lights handing out flyers on which a verse or a biblical saying might be printed and asking for a donation in return. There is usually no indication as to which, if any, organization this last group belongs.
While one can understand – in the case of legitimate youth/sport clubs – the need to raise funds, this must be done in a careful and organized manner. Standing with a cardboard carton at a street corner does not fall into either category. It is dangerous, especially given the huge increase in the amount of vehicles on the road and the concomitant rise in road accidents. It is unorganized and cannot allow for proper accountability in fund raising. The adults, who act as coaches and chaperones for these youth, really need to rethink their strategies. Parents should say no to their children participating in such activities.
According to the press release issued by the Guyana Police Force, “It has been observed that persons are soliciting monies for various activities from members of the public along the roadways without the relevant permission.
“The law is clear on this in that persons must first obtain the written permission of the relevant authority before engaging in such activity…
“The police wish to remind members of the public that under the law permission to conduct such activities is required beforehand. Anyone found in breach of this legal requirement will be dealt with according to the law.”
One hopes that, taking into consideration the numerous traffic accidents, many of which are fatal, the police would refuse to grant permission for any public soliciting of funds on roadways. Also, having made public the fact that this sort of public soliciting is illegal, one hopes the police will now take steps to remove all persons found begging at street corners and traffic light junctions. Children should be warned and sent away the first time they are caught; on the next occasion, their parents/ guardians/coaches/chaperones should be charged. Adults should be arrested and charged immediately. It’s time to call a halt to this lawless activity.
