As the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department continues with its campaign to clean up the minibus parks in Georgetown, ranks on Thursday rounded up and arrested another 15 individuals for touting.
The exercise was led by Sergeant 18039 Michael Ramdas and other ranks of Traffic Headquarters, and was conducted at the Routes 31, 32, 40, 41, 42 and 47 bus parks.
The Force has reiterated that “the campaign, which is aimed at bringing back some semblance of order at the various bus parks around Georgetown, and more so for the safety and comfort of commuters, is ongoing, and will continue until the desired results are achieved”.
Only recently, touts were complaining of the campaign and begging authorities not to take bread out of their mouths, while promising to act in a more professional manner. Some of them told <<Guyana Times>> that it is unfair for Guyanese who are attempting to make an honest living in a country with a high percentage of unemployment to be prosecuted for so doing.
One tout who refers to himself as “King Tout” explained that he was recently arrested three times and made to pay hefty bail sums, which he stated is unfair since he is no criminal.
“Touting does give me my daily bread…three times them lock me up in one week, you know, and it’s real heart-rending right now. When you go to court, the fine you does gotta pay is $15,000 to $20,000,” the tout angrily revealed.
According to the man, if Government could provide employment for him, he would happily leave the touting profession, which he only turned to because he found no other means of employment.
While some persons have made representation for the touts, many others have complained about the disorderly manner in which they behave at the minibus parks.
Traffic Chief Linden Isles has said the exercise is aimed at ridding the parks of all touts, and as such the public’s cooperation is critical. He also noted that the campaign will be ongoing until the desired results are achieved.
So far, over 100 touts have been arrested and charged.
