Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 10, 2011 Editorial
Each day the reports in the media make for depressing reading. It is as if the population is going mad or as if people have little regard for the effort of those who want to improve their lives. For example, in yesterday’s issue of the newspapers there were no less than five reports of robberies, two shootings and a spate of road accidents.
The road accidents could be explained. We know that there are people who blatantly disregard the laws that govern road use. We know that despite the best efforts of the law enforcers, there are those who use money to lure police ranks away from the rule of law and so have them present documents authorizing them to use the roads in sophisticated instruments of death.
Some people even buy road service licences for their children whose association with vehicles was limited to stolen rides and the occasional help to get a drunk parent home. These children learnt to drive under lawless conditions and they would take this lawlessness to the streets when armed with some document that allows them to drive until detected.
The robberies are another thing. There was a time when armed robberies were as frequent as a walk in the park in the city. Every day people reported attacks by gunmen. In some cases these attacks occurred when the victims had just left the bank. This seems to be the case once more.
Sometimes, in the not too distant past, the targets were nightspots, sometimes they were the business places and sometimes the homes of those perceived to be somewhat affluent.
There were the public criticisms of the police and before long, the state called for action. The police acted. Quick response led to the apprehension of some gunmen within minutes of the robberies. In one case the gunmen were shocked silly that they squealed on each other because they know that the game was up.
Increased patrols and even more police ranks on the streets forced these gunmen out of the city. There is an increase in the spate of robberies in Berbice coincident with a decrease in the city. We know that in some cases the perpetrators are from the city which suggests that these people find the city and its environs too hot so they select softer targets.
Certainly the police in Berbice cannot cope. There are those who believe that the Berbice police are in cahoots with some of the criminals because they say that they would call the police and the latter would fail to arrive until after the criminals have left. There is no evidence to support the allegation.
But we do know that increasingly, gunmen are targeting Corentyne households. For example, a couple arrived in Guyana for a vacation and no sooner had they landed than they were attacked and robbed. At least five such visitors have been robbed in Berbice for the Easter holidays. And a few have been robbed in the city. On Sunday alone gunmen shot a Corentyne farmer and relieved him of cash and jewellery. Another group targeted a family who had come home on vacation. All this happened in Berbice in less than 24 hours.
Then masked men chopped and robbed another Corentyne businessman. All this in one day. Last week within hours gunmen forced their way into a Good Hope home and shot the head of the home. A few hours after gunmen entered a business place and robbed it.
It is not that these occurrences are considered strange. They have become common place despite statements to the contrary by the Home Affairs Minister. The fact is that the politicians would not want to admit to the increasing crime. They would even wish away the number of deaths that accompany these robberies.
Brigadier David Granger recently took issue with this apparent hike in criminal activities and incurred the wrath of the Home Affairs Minister. But if the truth be told, the criminals are bent on making headlines. Perhaps if the news media should stop reporting on crime then one could see a lull. However, this is not going to happen because crime sells.
There are people talking about vigilante action. Some are now saying that in the same manner the criminals can parade with illegal guns they could do the same in the interest of their communities. We are certain that once the trend continues then we could see a proliferation of guns. Sadly, these guns would not be used only to fight criminals. People do get angry with each other.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]