Dear Editor,
Firstly, I join in expressing kudos to the Police Officer in charge at Bartica for stopping the sale of alcohol to students at recent school sports in Bartica. I recall Inspector John Singh doing the same thing on the East Coast last year. However, during last week’s inter-school events at Enmore, children were seen playing chic-chic and Guinness and beer were consumed openly. It would be difficult to convince me that teachers were not aware. We are sinking rapidly-with the help of some teachers.
I also wish to disagree with the Chairman of the Enmore/Hope NDC who told your reporter that crime is not an issue in Enmore.
It does not help the situation when we cocoon ourselves in the cloak of denial. Notwithstanding that myself and a few other executives of the Concerned Citizens of Enmore Policing Group were booted out of the Group for speaking out against malpractices within the Group, I am very aware of incidents in Enmore of which my good friend, the NDC Chairman, may not be aware. There are records elsewhere which can attest to my intervention in many criminal matters occurring in the Enmore area.
Those who are in denial may be advised that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. There are on-going incidents in Enmore of rapes, robberies, break and enter, narco selling and consumption, simple larceny, etc committed by young men from within and without Enmore. The Police cannot prosecute because victims refuse to give statements. And that is another tragedy. Victims want justice but they will not stand up and do the right thing. But can they complain!
But back to the topic. Narcotics is consumed by over 30% of the youths in Enmore, some as young as 12 years. Many young married couples use drugs. There are over 12 drug cells in Enmore. Mr Chairman, that is the reality. Being ostrich-like will not make the problem disappear. Instead, it allows it to escalate. And this is where a vibrant Policing Group in Enmore would have played its part. Crime in Enmore was minimal about seven years ago because the Concerned Citizens Group was 300-odd strong and straddled all the “wards” of Enmore. Today, there are no elections, no meetings. Let anyone who wishes to take issue with what I write herein do an honest investigation on the ground instead of listening to the lies of those who have an interest in covering their rears. The truth will be known then.
Editor, I live in Enmore. I may stay silent some of the time. But I must now speak out, even if it is against those I call my friends.
If they wish to take it personal, their tragedy. I would have done my duty. Let them do theirs. Crime is a national issue. I am addressing crimes here, not personalities or friends. I am therefore calling through this letter for a meeting of the Concerned Citizens of Enmore Policing Group to be convened at the instance of the Community Policing Secretariat to address the resuscitation of the Group so that the residents in Enmore can once again stand together and defy criminal elements who have put Enmore under siege.
The time has come for other residents to speak out- for or against the foregoing.
Yours faithfully,
Taajnauth Jadunauth