At a face-the-community meeting at Belladrum, West Berbice last week Monday, residents called on police to put a stop to young men in the area who would interfere with female students.
They said the youths would hold the girls’ hands despite protests and urged that the police intervene so the students can feel comfortable while walkingalong the road. They also had an issue with the early school-leavers who would loiter in the area and gamble.
Almost 90 residents from Belladrum, Paradise, Profitt and El Dorado villages attended the meeting, which was conducted by Commander of ‘B’ Division Assistant Commis-sioner Steve Merai and Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Mansell, who is attached to the Fort Wellington Station.
The residents also complained about loud music emanating from a nearby club. They said the noise would disturb everyone, especially elderly persons and students who are studying for examinations. They also mentioned some drivers positioning their vehicles in a dangerous manner along the roadways, the problem of strays roaming the streets and destroying farms and larceny of cattle.
The residents also asked for traffic ranks to be present when the students have to cross the road.
The commander advised residents to form Community Policing Groups and to guard against rape and other criminal activities. He also urged the farmers to apply for firearm licences.
One man also made a request for the Ethnic Relations Commission and the Police Complaints Authority to visit the area to sensitise them about their “roles and functions.” In photograph, a section of the gathering listens to Mansell (standing at right) as he introduces Commander Merai.
