I am aware of the United Nations’ definition of human security. It now embraces wide-ranging sub-concepts – from refugee security to gender security, economic, environmental, food, health, community, cultural, political and , of course, personal security.
“Security” is now a full-fledged discipline for both scholars and governments who originally concerned themselves primarily with national/state security whereby security meant the preservation of peace and national sovereignty and integrity.
However, against the above understandings and being me, I focus here on personal security – the need for us as citizens to assist the State to protect us from emergencies, disasters, riot, fire- and crime (against the person).
Twenty years ago (June 1996) I produced and published Crime Watch Guyana. It was a booklet with advisories for the layman citizen to study and implement amidst awareness of daily crime prevention practices. Then Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis, in saluting the effort, ensured that numerous Police stations secured copies. I still feel that it should be obvious for every individual, family and community to be continuously conscious of personalised precautions against criminal activity aimed at depriving us of our hard-earned belongings; sometimes our lives.
I entreat from Church Clubs to political party groups to schools to NDC’s to teach members and residents how to pre-empt or to be ready for criminals. I know we can’t confront their weapons but we can secure our homes and shops in creative/effective ways; we can network (by ’phone, texts, private techniques) as a block, street or community; we can take the district police to potential criminal hot-spots. So besides actual Community Policing Groups and surveillance cameras, let there be personal security consciousness to assist the good police.
Private security, watchmen, guards
Actually today’s sentiments herein were influenced by two types of now familiar reports: Bandits disarming security guards at homes and businesses, rendering them useless whilst proceeding to ravage property and people; and the police crime statistics for given periods favourable to the Force’s efforts but irrelevant to numerous victims and survivors of inter-personal crime and injury.
Years ago I explored the phenomenon of Guyana’s Private Security Sector. I recalled the earliest firms, PPS and GEB, organising private security service on relatively modernistic structured, training, elementary technology in the seventies. Watchmen- only men then- became “Security Guards”. Again I ask today’s younger investigative journalists to explore this sector. How structured is it? What’s the proportion of over-50 ladies and retired, older guys?
My piece years ago remarked upon the fact that millions upon millions worth of State assets were being protected, “secured” by private firms. (`Strategic Security Services awarded $1.1 Billion contract to secure state property” blared one headline.) As I did then I wonder about the role of the GPF and the “Special Constabulary.” What’s the latter? Can’t those “Special Constables” augment the regular Police Force by becoming full members? I seem to recall that there is actual legislation empowering the GPF to exercise oversight over the now numerous private security companies- some of them cosmetic, fly-by-night, exploitative “operations.”
I say, Frankly Speaking, it is now timely to investigate and review the role of the Private Security Sector here. All is far from well.
Clay, Ali, war
The encomiums are being showered on the man and his life globally. Well merited, they will reach a crescendo today at Muhammad Ali’s funeral. So what can I add? Not even necessary, I insist on two elements from this man-in-the street, 23-year old column.
Like British Guiana, fifty years ago, Cassius Marcellus Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali. He was proclaiming independence – from slave-name to one more akin to his forefather’s inclusive of an alternative religion and a new status.
Secondly, his refusal to be drafted into America’s war against North Vietnam was profound a statement of refusal to heed politicians’ decisions. I did not appreciate that revolutionary act then. But Ali was saying that no matter how his government felt justified to deconstruct Communist Vietnam, he had no such obligation. Especially since he was being discriminated against in his own home in Kentucky, U.S.A.
What a fundamentally profound debate he opened up: “Old men make wars for young men to fight”, it is said. Soldiers must not question their governments and generals. But, at least, those going far to fight, to defend and die should be convinced about the cause through education. Britain’s Queen’s grandsons do put themselves in conflicts’ “harm’s way” but do the children of American Presidents? All that Ali questioned.
As I again advise that we educate or own military juniors about Venezuela’s claim, I pay tribute to Ali. Much more than a Boxing Champion; an iconic agent of inquiry and change, Afro-pride and independence (of mind).
Miscellaneous ponderables
The overseas Guyanese who opened the sewing establishment in Buxton has done what I call for every February and August. President Granger touts village economies. Yet this gentleman’s initiative was given an official cold shoulder? A Jubilee snub?
Who represents pensioners who worked more than 30/40 years as public servants? Mr Yarde’s GPSU
KN’s Adam Harris tolerated his school mate Roger Luncheon for years at the latter’s media conference. I could not so favour my ‘mate Rohee at his current briefings.
I suggest again: Acquire the old Co-op Bank at Stabroek to create an upscale Vendors’ Arcade. (It’s so well positioned/sited.)
Guyanese back for the Jubilee Month were sometimes described as “foreigners”. Ha!
American ethnic sensitivities – I’m too slow to understand American racial nuances. Barack Obama is “Black” though his mother was white from Kansas. And when Donald Trump says “Mexican” he is racist. Is Mexico a “race”?
‘Til next week
