Georgetown’s Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has voiced concern over the hiring of additional security guards by vendors at the Bourda Market.
At Monday’s statutory meeting at City Hall, Chase-Green told councillors that it was brought to her attention that two additional guards have been retained to provide security along Robb Street.
She noted that the guards were not permitted to patrol the streets and are required to be stationed in one area. She also requested that the Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, monitors the development.
Following the fatal shooting of a Bourda Market vendor during a robbery in August, vendors, who sell along Robb Street, between Alexander and Bourda streets, hired a private security firm to provide protection.
They also formed themselves into a group to carry out patrols in an effort to ensure their safety.
Five armed guards are now reportedly working in the vicinity of the area.
Foo previously informed the council that the constabulary has put security measures in place to aid in the reduction of criminal activities around the market. He noted that plain clothes officers have been placed on the ground to monitor the activities there.
Food vendor Troy Ramalho, of King Edward Street, Albouystown, was shot dead by a gunman who attempted to relieve him of his jewellery on August 15th in front of his stall on Bourda Street.
The police, in a press statement, said Ramalho had just closed his food business for the night and was waiting on a taxi to take him home when the suspects, one of whom was armed with a gun, pounced on him.
The gunman, according to a witness, discharged a round at Ramalho, who fell instantly, while the other men relieved him of his jewellery and quickly fled the scene.
Ramalho was rushed to the Georgetown Hospital, where he died.
