Several persons to be charged for curfew violation in Linden

Several persons who were in violation of the 18:00h curfew are expected to be charged and placed before the courts as Police in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) enforce efforts to combat COVID-19.

On Saturday last, Police conducted several roadblock exercises targeting drivers and as such, 80 persons were found to be in violation of the curfew orders.
The 18:00h curfew measure which is expected to run until May 3, was taken as a form of social distancing in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
As such, residents apart from essential workers are mandated to be indoors by the stipulated time and as such, the police have implemented measures to ensure that the system is adhered to.
Speaking with this publication on Thursday evening, Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter noted that anyone who attempts to make their way into the community from Georgetown via the Bamia-Soesdyke-Linden highway route after the curfew time will be redirected back to their location or may be required to wait until the following morning.
“Because we are enforcing that you have to be checked. So, you cannot pass through after a certain time, after the curfew, 6 o’clock. Nothing is permitted to pass, unless it’s an essential worker meaning supplies coming for the hospital or whatever the case may be”, he explained.
Additionally, there are police roadblocks set up at various areas across Linden, including the Bamia checkpoint, Amelia’s Ward, the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge and the Five Corner area.
There are also patrols traversing all areas and according to the Regional Commander, anyone found to be in violation will have their names placed in the curfew book and escorted to the nearest police station.
For drivers, their vehicles are lodged until the next morning. Henceforth, violators are given return dates to facilitate prosecution and virtual court appearances.
“If we don’t take that sort of action then definitely, we’re not going anywhere”, Superintendent Winter stated when asked about the strict measures.
He noted that there were over 20 violating drivers on Thursday evening and about the same amount at Amelia’s Ward last Saturday when the exercise commenced.
As the crackdown intensifies, the Regional Commander said the numbers appear to be decreasing and as such, urged residents to adhere to the curfew, noting that they will not bend the rules.
The Commander noted that many violators have so far given frivolous reasons for being on the road after 18:00h.
Only two particular taxi services are authorised to operate past the curfew time but they are not allowed to solicit passengers.
Meanwhile, Winter noted that a date will be set for virtual court appearances before the Linden Magistrate via the Zoom app.