The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce is alarmed at the resurgence of crime in the ancient county and is urging Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee to urgently put steps in place to arrest it and to bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes.
Since the start of the year there have been at least four serious incidents of robbery or attempted robbery, especially in Rose Hall Town, including one that has resulted in the murder of security guard Chandrabhan Persaud on Saturday morning, the Chamber said in a press release. Further, a brazen daylight attack on the AK Pawn Shop last Thursday that resulted in the loss of millions, and two other attacks on business since that time suggest that the bandits are enjoying free reign.
“These incidents taken together do not serve to inspire confidence in the authorities in the Berbice district to manage the security of the business community and, for that matter, the residents of the area,” the group said, adding that “This wanton loss of life and property is of grave concern and every effort should be made to stem this tide before more fathers, husbands, and sons have their lives brutally cut short by these criminals.”
As such, the ministry must urgently implement measures to protect business and the citizenry who appear to be at the mercy of bandits.
The Chamber is also concerned that the increased cost of implementing various security measures combined with the risk to life and limb of business persons, and the public, is forcing some businesses to consider closing, putting employees on the breadline.
