RESIDENTS and some business owners along Orange Walk, Bourda are exasperated by the raucous weekend revelling, blasting of loud music and chaotic parking of vehicles by  revellers at Charlotte Street and Orange Walk, Georgetown.

Some business representatives had been bombarding the Guyana Chronicle to visit the area, and when we did yesterday afternoon they did not hesitate to tell their woeful stories.
Every individual we spoke to was adamant that the location was rapidly becoming one of the most raucous in the city, especially when large groups gang up at the many hangout bars that have sprung up along Orange Walk, Bourda, as it is more popularly known.
Among those that were more sorely affected were the owners of Scott’s Jewellery and Variety Store which happens to be in the centre of the ‘weekend melee’, and have become victims of threats and ridicule from the revellers.
Folks at this entity said that when the street parties begin on weekends they simply cannot sleep because of the loud music that would have their windows and other sections of their building reverberating.
Some residents said they have to endure the loud banter of men right under their windows since they would find these locations comfort zones to enjoy their obscene conversations as they try to escape the deafening blasts of music.

ILLEGAL PARKING
The owners of Scott’s Jewellery said that many days and nights when they arrive home they have to drive around the block again and again before they are able to secure a parking spot, if they are that lucky.
This allegation was also supported by some residents and at least two other businesses in the area. According to the business owners, persons who go to drink and revel at the many ‘hot shops’ as they are called would just “park their vehicles anywhere,”  filling up spaces that are rightfully reserved for residents, business owners and customers.
Folks at Scott’s Jewellery said that because of this, customers with vehicles would turn away from their enterprise and then they lose major sales.
Many residents noted that they would have to walk the street for long periods trying to find the drivers who have parked vehicles blocking the entrances to their homes and business places. Upon finding them, they said, they are often greeted with a slew of obscenities and threats when they request that the vehicles be moved.
One businessman indicated that he was forced to “wait for ages” for another man to remove his vehicle which was blocking his back gate, and  all this time three men who were on his bridge smoking what smelt like marijuana were glaring at him and consulting in hushed tones.
Some business owners have reported that they have received death threats from sordid characters who are now using the weekend gatherings to commit robbery and other crimes.
To date, according to reports, one household has been robbed of valuables by two men who were standing on their bridge, drinking beer and pretending to be making cellular phone calls. It is reported that they pounced on the residents and made off with valuables before other public-spirited residents could have intervened.

POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED
Moreover, there are reports that even police officers are seen drinking among the revellers and they too would park as irresponsibly as they please. One woman said a vehicle blocked her gate for two hours and it was only when she called the police tow truck and they were in the process of hitching the vehicle that a man in civilian clothes came forward, boisterously declaring that the vehicle was his and that he was a police officer at Alberttown Police Station.
Urination  
Residents and business owners are also angry as they are forced to endure the pungent stench of urine around their homes as revellers, especially the females, are using the open lots to urinate in public view.
Some residents have also claimed that they have found human faeces on their bridges and other areas outside their homes, supposedly left by drunken revellers.

POLICE AND CITY COUNCIL
Meanwhile, residents are of the view that the Mayor and City Council officials are sleeping on the issue since many reports have been made to that body but to no avail.
Folks at Scott’s Jewellery said that they have contacted City Council’s Public Relations Officer, Royston King so often that they have become tired while only receiving promises. However, nothing has yet been done to rectify this situation. An official at Scott’s Jewellery noted that lately they have been unable to contact Mr. King on the cellular and landline numbers he had provided, and it is felt that he is now ignoring the calls.
Three businesses related that they have reported the matter of traffic congestion, illegal parking and noise nuisance to the Alberttown Police but to no avail.
They charged that some police officers at this station are in collusion with the shops and bar owners at Orange Walk and therefore would not pay heed to their complaints.
Residents noted that at one point about two months ago, some bar owners began to lower the volume of their music after intervention by the Brickdam Police Station, but they just recently have begun to ‘blare their horns’ again as if they alone were occupying the location.
Some residents are alleging also that some police officers are receiving bribes from bar and shop operatives along Orange Walk “to keep their mouths shut” and so the unrelenting lawlessness is allowed to continue.
Yesterday, this newspaper attempted to contact the City Council’s PRO on a cellular and landline number provided, but both rang out for the entire day. And efforts to solicit a comment from police at Alberttown Police Station were futile since a female officer rudely declared that she was not allowed to comment on such issues. And attempts to speak to the officer-in-charge failed since the same female noted that no one was around to “talk about that.”