AS displaced Stabroek Square vendors slowly move into the new spot prepared for them, City Hall says crimes around the Stabroake Market have significantly decreased. Town Clerk Royston King said reports of crime were high in the area, with the council receiving reports of at least 10 robberies being committed daily outside Demico House alone. Ever since the area was cleared, there has been no such report.
While vending created a crowded atmosphere, making it easy for criminals to attack citizens, some vendors also conspired with the criminals in the execution of robberies, King claimed at a meeting yesterday.
King said vendors who once sold within the area will be relocated to the new marketplace opposite Parliament Buildings and the vendors have named the area the “Parliament View Mall.” The council is also moving along the various pavement- vending locations , including Water Street, to locate vendors in an orderly manner, and King warned the vendors to keep the environment clean.
Taking into consideration the security of bank employees and customers, no selling will be done in front of commercial banks.
“We’ve got to make the city safe [or] we’re losing big business. We have to organise vending,” King said.
He pointed out that some vendors displayed selfishness with an unfair “takeover” of an entire stretch, leaving others in need of selling space.
“Do not bring out a store and you’re taking up space that somebody else can get. Bring out your goods in manageable amounts,” King told over 100 vendors.
Making the point that boasting years as a pavement vendor is not good enough, he urged the vendors not to make street- selling their final ambition, but to form themselves in associations and councils so that they can get “properties and real estate.” Vendors, he suggested, can become owners of big businesses after just a few years’ experience on the street.
“You’ve got to up your game; you’ve got to change that mentality, you’ve got to change that mindset and think about moving on. We don’t want people living on the streets for the rest of their lives.”
Vendors at the meeting raised various concerns and were anxious to know whether or not they will be moved from their current locations and if so, where would be their new locations.
One vendor pointed out that his “jubilee” sales are held up as he had already designed a “jubilee stand,” painting it green and yellow to take advantage of the season.
The man also said he has children with needs and warned that the delay of vending can have a domino effect on individuals and families. One woman also pointed out that she has to pay a mortgage of $55,000 monthly and while her “honey-roasted peanut” business has been put on hold, the bank is expecting her instalment soon.
The Town Clerk however assured the vendors that the move of City Hall to clear the area is not intended to put anyone out of business, but to make the appearance of the city one of “an excellent standard.He referred to Trinidad and Tobago among other Caribbean countries, where vending is also done, but in a well-organised manner.