Constabulary ranks lurking to nab litterbugs
RANKS of the City Constabulary are lurking around the streets with the aim of nabbing persons caught in the act of littering, Deputy Chief Constable Trevor Merriman disclosed yesterday. He spoke with the Guyana Chronicle at his City Hall compound office, in the presence of Superintendent Stephen Bailey, who is responsible for the administration of the department.
Giving an update on the recently resumed anti-littering campaign, Merriman said the new plan is to rid the city of its litterbugs and officers in plain clothes are mandated to arrest those caught in the act.
The exercise began last October but was halted for a while because other work around elections time diverted the officers.
Merriman said the operation is now back on stream and that there will be no pardon for litterers.
“Littering is now a countrywide thing. Everyone knows they should not litter, so we will not be taking any excuses.
“Littering is something we have been fighting a very long time. When one may want to believe that there is no Constabulary presence out there, don’t make the mistake and throw anything out there…because you will be arrested.
“Once you’re arrested and brought in here, there will be a zero tolerance and you will be taken before the court and you will have to pay a fine,” Merriman warned.
The Constabulary ranks are working at strategic locations, including Regent, Water and King Streets, as well as at Stabroek and Cuffy squares and the fine is $7,500.
The initiative by the Constabulary is intended to last as long as possible and until there is a change in attitude by citizens with regards to littering.

Mandated
According to Merriman, the Council has found that many persons caught littering are working for businesses in the capital and are mandated by the owners to illegally dump their garbage.
He appealed to business owners to use the system that the Council has in place as there will be no excuses, no pardons.
Merriman disclosed that there will be a special arrangement in place for those business owners who feel they could dump garbage in the nights.
He said the Council is still hoping that, one day, authorities will see the need for the Council to have its own municipal court, so that the magistrates are not burdened with littering cases.
Littering has long been an issue for the City Council and was described, by officials some years ago, as the single most challenging issue that has been plaguing the municipality.