RECENTLY, the Guyana Police Force came in for quite a lot of flack. The members were told to ‘get on with the job.’ Well how about some deserted kudos for the members? The ‘Panday Businessman’ has to be thankful for sure. Also, the recent couple of ‘drug busts’ proved quite heartening. And last Saturday, I witnessed a most dilatory act, but it is better late than never.’ Around mid-afternoon, the pick-up patrol from Vigilance raided the Annandale Market road. I was not surprised by the move. Limers at the Ramsingh Street junction are growing in numbers and boldness. One of the notorious members from this pack has the annoying habit of ‘spewing invectives’ at all and sundry. I remember on one occasion he was brazen enough to do his ‘dirty work’ in front of a pastor’s house. He even boasted on that instance, that he had no fear of any police officer. Well I am glad all this is likely to change.
Well last Saturday, there was a ‘panic-filled’ scattering and many made good their escape. However quite a few were hauled in. For this, the officers must be commended. They must also ‘keep at it.’ At this junction, bottles are ‘busted and scattered,’ vile language is used, passersby are taunted, drinking is habitual and gambling is festering.
I firmly suggest that when these vagrants are apprehended that they be made to work for the government. I mean there are drains to be cleaned, dead animals to be picked up and garbage to be gathered. These acts of punishment will go a long way towards rehabilitating many villages in Guyana. And one must note also, that these persons with their numerous ‘gang activities’ form the base for bigger crimes. It is these same individuals who will jump the fences, steal from the clothes lines, take out care lights, and enter people’s houses. So the ploy is to ‘nip it in the bud.’
I close by asking that since there is a clarion call to engage law-abiding citizens, to help in curbing crime, then any village with a Community Policing Group must be placed in a ‘must help’ situation. If that ‘invested in’ group of police supporters are not doing their work and are not reporting on lawless persons and activities, then they must be held accountable. Fighting crime is everybody’s business. Right in Annandale, there is a bread-selling house that sells more than bread. How come this has been happening for so long? How do I know? Well I had to ‘taxi’ customers from Annandale to Enterprise and this I did more than enough times. I did inform Vigilance. Now I hope that the next raid will be on this house.