Container on roadway a haven for criminals – Melanie residents

Residents of Non-Pariel and Melanie Damishana on the East Coast of Demerara, are beginning to react to an old cinema located at Melanie Cinema Road, which has become a dumping ground and a haven for persons with criminal intent.

Speaking with Guyana Times one resident said they are now fearful for their lives since bandits would normally hide behind a container in front of the cinema and rob persons as they pass.
“I am scared to have my daughter walk in here late in the nights. These boys would hide behind the container as persons pass in, and as soon as you pass there, they would jump out of nowhere and rob you. We are [no] longer safe in this community”, the resident explained.
Another resident said that the container was placed there to store scrap iron and garbage but their safety is not taken into consideration.
“The funny thing is, the people who do the scrap iron business is not even from this village, but yet still they are coming here to do their thing when our lives are in danger. Melanie never had this issue. All of a sudden, this happening because the container is there,” the person related.
Meanwhile, the residents stated that several complaints were made to the Government about the issue, but no effort was made to rectify same.
“We made several complaints but nothing is being done about it. We even had a meeting [with] one of the Minister of the Government the other day and they promised to do something about it so I am waiting to see,” the resident stated.
Commander of Police Andries-Junor, however, said that he is not aware of any complaints made about the issue but promised to look into the matter.
“Melanie is not known for robberies and I am not aware of such. Maybe this happened but no complaints were made to the police”, he said.