Dear Editor
Crime is on the rise in this country. Almost every day you pick up a newspaper, surf the internet, listen to the radio, go on Facebook or other social media site, you will always hear, read, or see some form of criminal activity being portrayed from all walks of life, ethnic groups, religious background, and from all the administrative regions of this country.
It seems as though, instead of getting a change for the better, we are getting the opposite in terms of criminal activities.
Editor, what makes it worse is that the people who are supposed to be there fighting for our protection and security, and living up to their mandate of providing peace and order in this country, are among the ones that are getting themselves involved in killing the comfort and security that we looked up to them to provide.
Editor, take these examples for instance: this poor housewife from Corentyne, Berbice who was wrongfully accused by a taxi driver of picking up his cellphone that he mistakenly left in his car. She was beaten by Police because she could not provide them the cellphone that they were asking her for. She wasn’t even given an opportunity to justify herself, and what makes it worse is that they took her money that was in her possession, which was saved for her husband’s eye surgery, and when she reported the matter to the Whim Police Station and requested a medical form to be taken to the hospital, they refused to give her one.
Secondly Editor, the taxi driver fiasco: another Corentyne, Berbice resident who was beaten by Police at the Springlands Police Station. They choked the taxi driver when he was asking questions about the present situation, when they confronted him outside of his home. He was forced to endure a breathalyser test using a used pipe.
Where is the justice? And to crown it all, they kicked him all over his back, head, jaw, mouth and ribs, and thus broke it.
Thirdly Editor, let me refresh your mind about the Fly Jamaica Airline that crash- landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after encountering hydraulic issues. The firefighters — another set of people who were supposed to be there for the citizens’ comfort and security, providing assistance when problems erupt — were under investigation. Why were they under investigation? For stealing personal items from the captain and crew members of the said plane.
Editor, I must personally — and I’m therefore repeating — personally oppose this wrongful acts that is being meted out towards the citizens of our country by the persons who are in authority, who swore an oath to safeguard and protect the citizens of our country, and in the end blatantly stab us in the back. Editor, these criminal activities have no place in our society, in our country; they need to stop. This sort of corruption must stop.
I do believe that it is time Guyana takes a stand against criminal activities in our country. No one, and I repeat: no one; whether you are a Police officer, a probation officer, a fire fighter — no matter how big or whatever position you may hold, you should be held accountable for the unlawful acts that you have committed. It is time Police officers and other stakeholders in high positions stop covering each other from the consequences of acts of crime and injustice; it is time all these bribes that are being accepted by persons in high authority be abolished; it is time for a change; and this change must be for the betterment of this country in terms of criminal activities.
Editor, I do hope this letter doesn’t return void, but must go through all sections and crevices of this country and bear fruit. Editor, I do hope that the Minister of Public Security, Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan, would look into this matter of the poor housewife and the taxi driver, which are just two of the many injustices in this country.
I hope they receive justice. All of these things are adding more stain towards our beautiful country Guyana. I am therefore appealing for all our religious institutions, be it Muslim, Hindu or Christian: let’s come together and pray, seeking for a divine intervention for the betterment of our country. Let’s all pray and ask for guidance and protection for our citizens, so as to eradicate crime and criminal activities.
Regards,
Robin Joseph
Counsellor: Waramuri
Village
