WHILE  I ponder with great sadness the events that would have led to the recent fatal shooting of young Dameon Belgrave at the White Castle Fish Shop, one has to take into consideration that there are several vivid factors that would have lured the criminals being chased by police into seeking cover at this particular location.

The White Castle Fish Shop, over time, has developed into not only a location that allows lawlessness and grave indiscipline, but has also made many Guyanese uncomfortable as they nevertheless continue their functions without due regard for the comfort of others.

This ‘joint’, as it is mostly referred to, especially on weekends, transforms into a terribly noisy nightspot as the music is played unbearably loud, and many underage teenagers can be seen drinking relentlessly without being asked for age verification by the management.

To top things off, this entity has no proper parking arrangements, forcing their patrons to park on both sides of Hadfield Street which is rightfully reserved for moving traffic. This causes severe traffic build-ups and congestion in the area.
The operations of the White Castle Fish Shop have paved the gateway for the ganging up of criminals who use the large and indisciplined gatherings as a haven for their criminal activities. These unruly patrons would normally urinate on the premises of persons living close to the Fish Shop, and also trespass on private properties.
The White Castle Fish Shop does not have any proper garbage disposal arrangement and garbage from weekend events are left all over the place. An end to the lawless operations of this entity will mean an end to many criminal activities, or suitable hideouts for pursued criminals to make good their escape.