Dear Editor,
Immediately after the US Embassy issued an advisory to its staff (and visiting citizens), the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force awoke from their slumber, and started their comedy show. Their actions exposed the hypocrisy they have towards the Guyanese. An embassy makes an advisory and the gov’t starts barking, but daily, Guyanese are being assaulted, robbed, and pleading for protection but with no meaningful reaction from the Guyana Police Force. It is a clear situation showing the powers foreigners have and the contempt Guyanese have towards Guyanese.
Editor, Stabroek Market, its environs, especially the bus parks, are ‘hotspot’s for thieves, selling of stolen articles/drugs, etc. Periodically, throughout the year, especially during the Christmas season, the GPF would launch some sort of ‘glorious campaign’, give it an attractive name, and then dissolve it without any results. Apparently, the GPF is under the impression that criminals work shifts, as they do, 8 am-4 pm. During the nights, many people get robbed, and out of utter frustration, don’t report it. There are two outposts around the area, which would conveniently close at certain hours. Crowd buildup invite lots of pickpockets.
Daily, many mini-buses, especially Route 45 mini-buses block the flow of traffic, as those buses are loaded outside of the turn system, and even though this causes numerous problems, no one does anything about it. If the Guyana Police Force is consistent in performing its duties, this situation wouldn’t have reached this stage. As for the constables, they cannot get rid of the drugs sellers, those buying/selling stolen articles under the clock, so what help can they be? Finally, Editor, at the junction of Vreed-en-Hoop, minibuses continue to disregard the laws and drive recklessly, making illegal u-turns, loading at the no-stopping zones, daily with the encouragement of ‘touts’ there. When someone objects, they are being verbally abused/insulted by the touts. Should a bus that is not a regular, stop to collect passengers, they are either prevented or forced to pay a fee.
In addition, touts are openly using illicit drugs and alcohol, and at times, running on the road recklessly to load buses. They constantly, pull, tug, and shout in commuters’ ears. You are subjected to insults when you don’t comply with any. The embarrassing thing about this situation is that the Vreed-en-Hoop police station is not far away where this lawlessness goes on. Maybe the US Embassy should, after paying a visit there, issue an advisory for that area also. Perhaps they would be lucky to see the touts, either soliciting phone numbers from passengers to give to policemen, or some police partaking in illegal activities, when not on duty.
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates
