Mayor Ubraj Narine along with his council yesterday took the decision to probe the disappearance of the perimeter fence around Russell Square at the Stabroek Market in Georgetown.
Discussions on the missing fence began after Chief Constable Andrew Foo informed the council that his department was not equipped with adequate resources to provide security at Russell Square.
Vendors from the dilapidated Stabroek Wharf were relocated to the Square to ply their trade. In a Memorandum of Under-standing (MoU) signed between the council and the vendors, the city is required to provide security, lighting and washroom facilities at that area.
Under the MoU, which was signed under the Mayorship of Patricia Chase-Green, a chain link fence some five feet in height was erected around Russell Square as part of the security provisions.
City Engineer Rasheed Kellman yesterday informed the council that over the past months, sections of the perimeter fence were vandalised by persons in the area and some of the materials had been allegedly stolen by vagrants who hang around the market.
This information did not sit well with Mayor Narine and led him to enquire as to who removed the fence and when. He also questioned if any report of the fence being vandalised was made to the Town Clerk and if so, why it wasn’t it reported to council.
In addition, acting Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick informed the council that over the weekend, three stalls at the Square were broken into.
Foo, while providing an update to the council on the matter, stated that no security or lighting infrastructure is at the site. He also explained that while they are aware of the break-ins, no vendor has since visited the constabulary department and filed a formal complaint.
Former Mayor Chase-Green told the council she could recall that under her leadership, the council had agreed to provide security to the vendors.
“It is the responsibility of the City Constabulary to provide security to all of the council’s assets. Even if you place officers there during the peak hours or for some hours of the day, it would be better. I can remember when we got the materials from Hamid’s Store to construct the fence. We are obligated to provide security to the vendors,” she emphasised.
Councillor Clayton Hinds, commenting on the issue, said that the administration should have been able to provide security to the vendors, since they had agreed to willingly move to the area.
He argued that a matter of this magnitude should not be difficult to address as council should have been able to put systems in place to address security. “If it was an issue of implementing their decision or solution then they should have brought it to council, but not this,” Hinds said.
Foo informed the council that the constabulary would require approximately six constables to cover the area. He noted that with no additional infrastructure such as lighting or guard huts, it would be risky placing his officers at the site. Foo then suggested that the constabulary could make security checks at intervals during the course of the day.
After listening to the Chief Constable’s explanation, Major Narine told the council, “If you were listening to the Chief Constable, clearly you would have heard there is no solution for this problem… it is unacceptable and sad to know what these people are going through.”
Councillor Heston Bostwick, suggested that the ranks be placed at the Stabroek Market Outpost, which is located adjacent to the Russell Park area, and be tasked with overlooking the stalls.
After the decision was taken to determine what happened to the fence, the council moved on to the other items on its agenda but however, failed to recommend which security measures should be put in place at Russell Square.
