Police in ‘A’ Division have launched an investigation into the reported attacks on patrons of the St. Joseph High School fair in Georgetown on Saturday night.
Commander of the Division Marlon Chapman yesterday told Stabroek News that an investigation has been launched into the reports of robbery and violence. He was at the time unable to say how many reports were made to the police but he assured that all are being investigated.
Additionally, he said a separate investigation is underway into the absence of the police ranks at the fair. The commander indicated that ranks were assigned to the event “and were expected to be there.”
A source told Stabroek News that the organisers hired ranks from the police force to provide security but they were a no-show. The source explained that approximately 10 to 12 guards from the Professional Guard Service were hired. Of the amount, it was explained that four were armed guards, while the remaining were equipped with batons and security scanners.
However, the school’s Parent-Teacher Association on Sunday released a statement, which said the Guyana Police Force had “once again failed the St. Joseph High School family and its patrons. These incidents could have been avoided if the Police had been there to deter the thugs that were carrying out their acts of robbing, beating, and traumatising our patrons especially through the avenue at the end of the fair.”
Patrons were attacked on Woolford Avenue, the source had told this publication. It was pointed out that at one point the organisers had to close the gate to the school compound and keep students in because of what was happening on the road.
The statement sympathised with patrons and called on civil society to “work together so [we] can create an environment that is safe for the wellbeing of all citizens especially our children who are depending on us for protection.”
