Video record minibuses playing loud music, submit to Police – Commander

Noise nuisance is a continuing problem in Guyana especially in public transportation, according to Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Errol Watts.
Persons are now being encouraged to video record these cases via their mobile phones and other devises, and report them to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The Commander made this comment while he was being interviewed on the Environment Matters monthly programme, that is being hosted by Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency.
The programme was curated to resolve environmental complaints, and include public awareness and education.
According to the Commander, once the video evidence is submitted to the Police, they will take swift action.
“… bring forth those things as a form of evidence so we can make successful prosecutions. We have seen that this has been working very successfully, and we are encouraging persons to continue to bring forth evidence for us to act upon,” the Commander said.

Region Three Commander Errol Watts

Commander Watts further encouraged that while taking recordings of such incidents, passengers should try their utmost best to be safe.
“If anyone is in a minibus or a hire car and music is being played, when they are out of the minibus, they should take a video of it to include the minibus number or the hire car number… they should be safe…” the Commander said.
The Division Commander said the laws of Guyana requires that minibuses and hire cars should not have any instrument of music within the vehicles, since it can serve as a form of distraction to the drivers while on the roadways.
“It is dangerous to have music in the minibuses, especially when it is being played loudly,” he explained.
In addition, Watts said that there is some flexibility where the regulations were modified under the Road Service Act, for the drivers to have very small speakers just for the purpose of having a radio and a cassette deck.
“With the modern technology, these same small instruments can make a lot of noise. So, we have included on the Road Service clause, which was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, that they should have two or three very small speakers, and be very considerate how they use them.”
Even with this small change, the Commander said the situation is being abused by both the drivers and the conductors, and continues to pose as a matter of concern for the GPF.
Over the years there have been several complaints by passengers who travel in public transportation, expressing their dissatisfaction, especially when travelling in minibuses.
According to them, the problems they face are careless drivers, rude conductors, overcrowding, uncomfortable seats, overpricing, speeding and noise nuisance.
Patron are now of the belief that minibus owners choose to ignore the plight of passengers, while stating that Police officers are using the flagrant violation of laws as an opportunity to profit.
With this in mind, the Commander stated that minibuses must adhere to stringent regulations, while stating that persons can contact the Police Force to report such issues on the 911 hotline that is available at all the Police stations throughout the country.
“In addition to that, we have the Police hotline at headquarters which is 225-6411… an officer will always be there to answer that phone. It is at Force control so when these calls are made, on a daily basis, a return of these calls are forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, who will review them and ensure that action is taken,” he said. (G9)