GUYANA Times article captioned “Constable could not have left outpost – Mayor”, highlights City Hall’s dilemma in managing resources, and further explains why the City’s affairs are in the sad state that it is. It must be emphasised that an outpost is just as important as a larger outfit, since the former is often seen as complimenting the former, in the battle against crime. And since such a major municipal market as Bourda, is a very busy commercial spot, attracting thousands of persons for all kinds of reasons, then it only stands to reason that such an outpost is fully manned to handle almost any scale of human untoward eventuality.

Further, it begs the question that such a locale that is known to be visited by robbers, particularly at nights, at the latter time, is reported to have been staffed by a single person, who, despite being requested to come to the rescue of robbery victim Sanjay Persaud, refused on account of his solitary presence.

The Chief Citizen endorsed this position as well. Is this part of the Standing Operation Procedure? For here is a citizen, reportedly going about his legitimate business, being robbed and subsequently murdered in the process, because of the inability of a city constable to come to his rescue.

This is unacceptable by any measurement; and though one may be tempted to fault the poor constable, it is the system as operated, that failed and ought to be held responsible for such a serious incident.

As pointed out above, the Bourda Market area is a busy shopping zone, even at nights, and it is expected that at the Security Outpost there will always be in a position to respond to emergencies. It is a legitimate expectation of not only vendors, and stall holders, but shoppers as well.

Unfortunately, no such system was in place on the evening when Persaud was robbed and subsequently killed. Even if the constable claimed he could not have left his post, why did he not summon alternate assistance via phone/radio? Or there was an absence of communication technology, as well?

I take this opportunity to contend as well, that had the City Constabulary been punctilious in their functions around the Stabroek Market square, not only would illegal vending been greatly minimised, but citizens would not have suffered at the hands of criminal elements.

Thanks to the continuous mismanagement of City Hall, a citizen, who could have been rescued otherwise, died, because of insufficiency of personnel at a City Constabulary outpost.

Not even condolences to the deceased’s family, Mr. Mayor?