NO country in this world and in this generation will ever be able to stop crime. Crime is simply a fact of life. Wherever people are, crime would be a factor. However, one has to be very optimistic, after reading about the recent arrest of three men, caught with a hidden .38 revolver, hidden behind the CD player in their car. The old adage of ‘prevention is better than cure’ was quickly revived. The point to be made here, in this missive, is that for the sake of safety and a feeling of well being, police officers must take the initiative at all times. This was done and residing deep in the heart of people now is a feeling that a grave crime was stopped. The populace knows that no one is going to ‘play ‘hide and seek’ with a well equipped and ‘ready to use’ pistol. So one must really thank the various ranks of the Guyana Police Force for doing a really ‘good thing.’   

Recently, the talk has been about how indifferent the police have been. But now one is noticing the presence of the police and their notable rise in proficiency levels. This is most comforting. One of the major hall marks of any good society is the ‘feeling of wellbeing and safety’ that citizens must be imbued in. When this kind of alert for safety is high, there is always a corresponding benefit-a better society (in this case Guyana) for everyone. In this regard, this letter is a very congratulatory one.

First, one must realise that whatever can possibly facilitate any behaviour, actions and practices etc. that are illegal, dangerous and untoward, in any vehicle-these must all be eradicated. This could be loud shouting, abusive language, the extended dangerous height to which trucks pack their trailers; the loud boom-boom boxes in the trunk and back seat of some cars and SUVs; the sophisticated sound systems of many cars and mini-buses; etc. etc.  For the list is interminable these days. It really does not matter at all what these things are and what the conduct is-they must all be intercepted.
Owners of vehicles should focus on safety and function, and not ‘showmanship’ and decorative features. People these days notice that many mini-buses have fancy and expensive rims and tyres and modern sound systems, but these said vehicles are without the comfort of working ACs. So the question one has to ask is which is more important, safety and showmanship or function and comfort?  This should be examined at all times.

So if the alertness of the various police ranks on patrol, on the East Coast Demerara had not been at peak level, and if the removal of the illegal weapon from the hands of potential criminals had not been  effected, one wonders what might have ensued. Who knows maybe  a robbery and/or murder?   

The reports stated that the swift action of the police resulted in the arrest of three men, right after they were discovered with an unlicensed .38 revolver, with four live rounds.  It shows a welcome level of interest from the police. By the way, one can ask that readers take note of the fact that the weapon was found, concealed behind the car’s compact disc (CD) player. Imagine what can be sneaked in securely within those large ‘speaker boxes’ that many vehicles now have.

What apparently took place was that the police were patrolling along that area, when they stopped a car with three men, who were acting suspiciously. One of the ranks at the roadblock recognised one of the occupants of the car as a known character, who had previous brushes with the law. So as expected, that rank (it was not stated which actual rank) took precautions and assumed the worst, and his assumption was vindicated. Well this is the way to go. A lot of people write and complain about crimes in the country, so the time is right for the ‘cops’ to go that extra mile. If this potential crime had been realized, then the criticisms would have been fraught from many sources. Also, these aggressive condemnations would have been directed at the wrong people. So again the law men must be extolled: they did right.

As a closing remark, one needs to encourage the full force of the law regarding speeding, overloading and the noise nuisance. It makes no sense that Guyana seeks to ‘head out’ towards development, and persons fail to adhere, co-operate with and obey the law. One is the antithesis of the other.