Dear Editor,
One of the most sturdy pillars of a stable society is its law enforcement apparatus.
If law and order, through its organs, falters or fails in discharge of its responsibility in any country which regards itself as a member of democratic and civilised society, then chaos and unbridled lawlessness could soon take over and gnaw away at rights and privileges which, are constitutionally assured.
Guyana is such a society and some bus drivers are the unkempt, ill mannered, boorish persons who provide a public service by transporting passengers on their vehicles and are those who are trying to hack away at these privileges which we so often take for granted. And, ironically, we ourselves have become enablers in this madness by our complacency.
It is almost taken for granted that once you join a minibus then you should be prepared to listen to a torrent of mindless, incessant, and often vulgar hogwash that is blasted out on a music system. But passengers who choose not to assert their rights to a peaceful and quiet ride by confronting these ‘’monsters’’ can be excused, since they may open themselves to a cussing out. Mind you the drivers and/or conductors, of these vehicles, though being owners or controllers, are providing a public service, a fact that is too often ignored.
Minibuses are not mobile night clubs, they provide us with public transportation and if a person desires to hear music he/she can go to any of the many night clubs, or do so in the privacy of their home. But these inconsiderate bus drivers will only go as far as the law enforcement authorities permit them.
The anaemic or sometimes indifferent approach of the police to music played on mini buses is unacceptable.
This nonsense has gone on for far too long. I have often been on buses with music being blasted and where police officers are among the passengers. To say that the Police Commissioner should be held accountable for this egregious affront to travellers, is not to make my ‘’eye pass’’ him. I have the highest regard for him, but the need to apply
the law is a compelling one. I hate to make a comparison, but I have used the New York City public transportation system and this nonsense is not condoned.
The Commissioner of Police should start insisting that this menace be removed. Some time ago I was forced to complain to MARAD about the same problem on a so-called speedboat. A goodly gentleman, Mr Robert Millington, I think, took my complaint and promised to redress it, and not only did he keep his word, but invited me to call him in event that there is a recurrence. Mr Hicken, it is your turn to put an end to this culture of lawlessness. For
how much longer must we endure this?
Yours faithfully,
Colbourne Wilson