More plainclothes cops needed at minibus parks to curb robberies – UMU

…says children are new target for thieves

The President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), Eon Andrews, has called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to deploy more officers in civilian clothes to various car and bus parks to address the rising number of robberies.
This plea comes in response to a surge in reports indicating that children and their cell phones have become primary targets for thieves in these parks, particularly those from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
“There seems to be a hunt for cell phones now and they are taking away these school children’s phones. This is a police problem…”, he said.
Andrews said that while the Union receives numerous reports of these incidents, it lacks the authority to take direct action. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of the Police Force to address and mitigate this issue.
“Robbery and crime seem to be escalating. This seems to be the day now… maybe it is because a lot of people do not have jobs…the police are always aware of the fact that these things occur and where they occur. We [the union] have indicated through discussions with the Home Affairs Minister about them having civilian persons placed in these parks”, he voiced.
The situation in Georgetown’s minibus and car parks has deteriorated over the years, becoming increasingly unsafe for passengers, especially at night. Drivers, conductors, and passengers alike have reported frequent robberies, both at the parks and sometimes even while en route in the minibuses.
Reports indicate that the majority of these robberies occur at the Route 32 and Route 44 bus parks. Passengers’ cell phones and purses are commonly snatched by petty thieves who loiter around the parks, posing as casual bystanders or touts.
In a recent incident, a schoolgirl was talking on her cell phone in a Route 32 minibus. As the bus was about to depart, a well-dressed man snatched the phone from her ear and fled before she could call for help. Drivers report that such occurrences are typical, with thieves targeting those with expensive cell phones and jewelry, making their move just as the bus is set to leave.
Similarly, a woman seated in the conductor’s seat of a Route 44 minibus earlier this month had her phone snatched by a teenage boy who quickly fled the scene. According to drivers, the increased presence of police personnel at the parks has not been effective, as robbers manage to escape before the police can intervene.
Other bus parks in Georgetown have reported similar issues. More than a month ago, two teenagers were arrested for the fatal stabbing of 33-year-old John Williams at the Route 44 minibus park.
The teens confessed that their intention was to rob Williams, not to kill him. Williams, a machine operator from Martyr’s Ville, East Coast Demerara, was confronted and stabbed by three suspects while walking on Commerce Street. He died from a stab wound to his chest, and the suspects were later apprehended.
In light of these incidents, Andrews is urging passengers to be vigilant and put away their cell phones and other valuables while at these parks. (G9)