Dear Editor,
In recent weeks there has been a spate of letters, mainly in the Stabroek News, highlighting the problem of open rum drinking, loud music, and other forms of vulgar behaviour in the public space. A good example of this was seen on Easter Monday evening at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, where the owner of one of the taxi stands and a barber shop, decided to hold a “barbeque.” The loud music from two huge sets blasted throughout the evening till well, past midnight. Several calls to the Leonora Police Station went unheeded.
It is interesting to note that this event was staged in the heart of the village, at its major intersection, so the music was heard loud and clear throughout the village. Even residents from the neighbouring village of Anna Catherina heard the booming noise. Less than two weeks ago this same owner, who often boasts of connections to people in high office, had something of a music competition with a number of cars equipped with massive music sets with protests from citizens falling on deaf ears. In fact, he does not need an occasion to indulge in this behaviour. With the main rum shop that has been in operation for more many years now closed, the barber shop is the one place in the village where patrons go for their liquor.
All of this is public knowledge, known to regional and local officials, who are often seen consuming alcohol on the location. Since members of the police ranks at Leonora go there for their haircuts, one can understand why they have no interest in acting on any complaints. It is believed that several complaints from the Swami school were made to the Leonora police over the loud music and vulgar behaviour of the taxi operators, and other idlers who hang around the premises, with the doors and trunks of their cars open to blast music. Talking of the Swami, he has written a letter on Holi
celebrations at the Stadium, complaining bitterly about the drunkness that prevailed there, and another one more recently about an official of the Ministry of Health who held up a cremation because of the late arrival of the funeral. But the Swami is silent on what transpires right under his nose at Cornelia Ida, even though his school is affected almost daily by the barber shop and taxi stand vulgarity.
One wonders whether the owner had any police permission to hold his “barbecue” which in fact turned out to be an all-night bacchanal. How the police could allow such an event in the centre of the village, and at a major intersection in the first place, seems baffling. Knowing what happens in Guyana when one complains about drunken and loud behaviour, local people who are affected are hesitant to complain, especially since the owner of the barber shop and taxi stand makes no secret of the fact that he possesses a legal firearm which anyone who goes to the shop, including children, can see stuck in the waist of his trousers.
The Swami wrote about the arrogance and power of the health official at the cremation ground. What we have at Cornelia Ida in this case is a combination of illiteracy, ignorance, arrogance and power. What a contrast it is from the school and temple across the road. Is this the new Guyana, with a special breed of the nouveaux untouchables, who can get away with anything?
Sincerely,
(Name and Address Provided)
