Cheap businessman responsible for attack on staff member – Steve Merai

Nov 18, 2010 News

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NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – In the wake of a recent robbery in New Amsterdam, the Commander of Division ‘B’ of the Guyana Police Force, Assistant Commissioner Steve Merai lashed out at what he called a cheapskate masquerading as a businessman.
In the incident he was referring to, an employee of Stretch ‘D’ Dollar Store in Pitt Street, New Amsterdam, Kerry Boucher, was physically abused by two men who attempted to rob her of the money she was taking to the bank.
The two suspected convicts 24-year old Dellon Holder of North Ruimveldt and 21-year old Dexter Gibson of Charlestown and North Ruimveldt appeared before Magistrate Adele Nagamootoo on Tuesday and were remanded until December 24.
“All (the businessman) had to do was call a taxi to take her to the bank along with a guard. But this didn’t happen. Who is going to look after all the blows she got? Who is going to take care of her medical? She still hold on to the bag with money even though she getting all the blows from the men.”
Commander Merai opined that the owner for the Stretch ‘D’ Dollar Store should take the employee to a private doctor. “All of this could have been avoided if he had spent $300 for a taxi to take her to the bank. This is a warning to the other businessmen. We are not even in the Festive Season as yet.”
When contacted, the owner of Stretch ‘D’ Dollar Store said, “They can say whatever they want to say. I can’t stop them. They ain’t wearing the shoes.”
Meanwhile, the Commander spoke of workers on delivery trucks who collect cash, place it in a bag or canister and put it in the vehicle. “This too is not safe. We had a few of these reports in Rosignol, Springlands and in New Amsterdam not so long ago.”
Lax security on the part of businessmen is a sore point. The Commander believes that Berbicians generally take things for granted and business operatives need to be more security conscious. This sentiment was also verbalized by his predecessor Assistant Commissioner George Alexander Vyphuis who had condemned the laidback attitude of some businessmen towards the safety of their concern and staff members.
According to Mr. Merai, many go about the cheap way, choosing not to break away from old fashioned tradition.
“They still believe in leaving money in the back seat of vehicles and gone to conduct business. They need to be more alert especially during this Season. We spoke to them but they don’t seem to be interested in their own security.”
Not only is the Assistant Commissioner speaking of liquid cash but of other articles as well.
“They got farmers with 200 bags of rice under their house; they got people wearing how much jewelry; they are inviting the thieves. It’s easy pickings for the thieves. It’s soft target.”
He suggested that the business entities find alternative and more secure ways to transport cash and not rely on traditional methods which in many cases may lure bandits. “If they continue to behave in this manner they would lose. We can’t be everywhere.”
Against this backdrop, Division ‘B’ of the Guyana Police Force is willing to offer protection to all business entities that need to transport large amounts of cash.
He said that they just need to make a request and protection would come free of cost. “Once we are available and the vehicle is not on call we will let the anti-crime vehicle follow them to assist to escort them. It all embodies in our area of operation. We don’t want to know what they are taking to the bank. We would just shadow them to the bank, that’s all.”
Commander Merai is also appealing to residents to pay more attention to what is taking place in their environment. This he said can result in fewer reports of crime. According to him, there is a general need for persons to place more emphasis on their safety and ensure that their dwelling places are properly secured.
Residents must be aware of ‘flat foot’ thieves and ‘junkies’ who are around constantly observing their movements.
“Don’t create an environment to attract persons with criminal intent. Generally you should be thy neighbour’s keeper. Many people leave keys in locks making it easier for intruders. Flat foot thieves are clever. They are there by day and by night.”
According to him, some pretend to be fishing in the nearby drain or just taking a stroll but in reality they are actually surveying the place and then act as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
“They even come and ask to weed or clean drains. Don’t be fooled if you see them with a woman. In many cases the woman is a part of the act too. A few of them use kids. Don’t underrate some small kids too.”

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