Police forbid Giftland from pointing cameras towards Conference Centre

…had been OK before recount ballots stored there

Giftland Mall proprietor Roy Beepat has said that a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) informed him that the mall’s security cameras which are facing the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) are illegally placed and their positions would have to be altered.

The Giftland Mall is located in close proximity to the ACCC at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and the Conference Centre is currently housing containers with ballot boxes used in the March 2 General and Regional Elections.
However, in a statement, Beepat highlighted that his cameras were installed since the inception of the operations of the mall, and that he only recently added extra cameras in light of the elections season, after receiving advice from his security experts.
“The locations and focus on these cameras are based upon advice I received from security experts. In light of the dire circumstances that have ensued the March 2nd, 2020 elections, which continue to prevail, my security experts have advised that I install additional cameras to enhance monitoring and the security of my premises,” Beepat said in a statement issued on Friday.
He said he would not be altering the positions of his cameras. He explained that after consulting with his attorneys, he has been advised that no laws have been violated.
“I have consulted with my attorneys-at-law in respect of the Police’s request. They have advised me that I have not violated any laws known to Guyana,” he posited.
According to Beepat, the security of his business, vendors, employees and visitors remains his top priority.
Only recently, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) condemned the Police Force for its perceived intent on following political directives.
On Monday last, Police officers unjustifiably evicted from the ACCC compound persons who were entitled to keep watch on the ballot boxes placed there.
To date, it is unclear who gave the Police the orders to have party representatives, elections observers and other stakeholders removed from the premises.
Even retired Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud issued an open letter to the GPF, reminding both senior and junior ranks of the Force’s responsibility to protect the civil rights of citizens.
Persaud, who served some 33 years in the Force, urged the officers: “Let us not throw our honour to the dogs”.
He reminded that the society must rely on the Police for the immediate and effective protection of people’s constitutional guarantees. “Let us not fail them,” Persaud admonished.
Meanwhile, attempts to make contact with the Police for a comment proved futile, and up to press time, GPF did not respond to the missive issued by Beepat.