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Jun 20, 2018 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom
It may be difficult to believe but one of the most dangerous places to be in Guyana is also the busiest. Stabroek Square is the most dangerous place to be.
There is not a day that someone is not robbed or mugged in that area, despite the fact that, there are hundreds of illegal vendors and hire car and mini-bus drivers around.
Stabroek Square is the busiest place in the country. The area contains a number of bus parks. It is also heavily populated by hire cars. The greatest over-crowding, however, comes from the presence of illegal vendors who operate along pavements and the fringes of the Square, at times spilling onto the roadways.
Crime in that area is an old problem. There has been little relief. It was therefore no surprise to learn from the Chief Constable of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown about an increase in gang-related activity around the Stabroek Square. The Chief Constable said that his constabulary was cooperating with the police to bring an end to these incidents.
However, it will take more than cooperation to ensure that the Square is safe for citizens. It will require social engineering. Unfortunately, the political to do this is woefully lacking.
The fundamental problem arises from the overcrowding of the Square. All the plans, which have been developed and all the actions taken by the municipality, to make the Square safer, have failed because of the lack of political will.
The Square has far too many illegal vendors. It has far too many bus and car parks. The Square is overcrowded. There is hardly space on the pavements to walk. And with so many stands and vehicles around, most of which are jostling for space there is mass confusion at the Square. This chaotic situation is perfect for muggers and pickpockets.
Many of those who are vending illegally or operating buses or hire cars are afraid to intervene when they witness criminal activities. They are afraid because the modern day criminals in Guyana have been known to carry guns and to use them. Not like long ago when pickpockets were the main crooks and when, at best, the bandits would be armed with knives of ice picks. The consequences for intervention can be fatal. People therefore refuse to help others when they see others being robbed.
The combined efforts of the Police and the City Constabulary cannot end the non-stop criminal activities at Stabroek Square. The situation at the Square does not lend itself to a solution unless that entire area is sanitized of all bus and car parks and illegal vendors. Trying to reduce the criminal attacks on citizens, including schoolchildren, will be a waste of time unless the chaos in that area ceases.
Most of the police who are stationed at the Square are traffic cops and their priority is not even ensuring a free flow of traffic. They are mainly looking to pounce on errant bus and hire car drivers. The Constabulary is shackled from being effective because many of those who are vending on the edges of the Square and on the pavements have the tacit approval of the City Council.
There has to be a change in mindset. One past Mayor said that the vending problem was complex one. Once that attitude persists, and unless there is zero tolerance for vending outside of the market, the confusion and crime will continue at Stabroek Square. The bus and car parks should be relocated because they attract large numbers of commuters and the vendors follow these commuters. Where there are large numbers of persons, you are bound to find vendors.
The mistake which has always been made in the past is to temporary move the vendors without moving the parks to other areas. The solution therefore in so far as Guyana is concerned would be to disperse the bus and car parks and to reduce illegal vending, the latter of which depends on the former.
Many years ago, Trinidad and Tobago had a similar problem. They solved it by moving the car parks into side streets. Eventually a larger bus terminus was built.
Such a solution will never be attempted in Guyana because there is a lack of political will to deal with the vending problem. And without this, nothing will change.
Therefore, the only advice which can be offered is for people to stay as far as possible from Stabroek Square. And, if this cannot be avoided, then try not to have much valuables with you.
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