What is the business community doing about crime?

Apr 30, 2011 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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A small businessman was robbed and fatally shot a few days ago. A senior executive of the Gold Miners Association was mugged while exercising on the seawalls. A supermarket was robbed yesterday and the wife of a cambio dealer was attacked by armed men last Saturday.
These are just some of the incidents of armed attacks made against businesses or persons connected with businesses over the past week. In one week all of this happened.
It is a troubling development and one which fits a pattern that usually occurs in the run up to elections. However, there is, at present, little evidence to indicate that these armed attacks are in any way politically inspired or have anything to do with political tensions.
In fact, a stronger case can be made that these are purely criminal acts. For all Guyanese these attacks are source of worry because they indicate a general decline in security within the society. For the police they show that they cannot become complacent.
No one should feel safe given what is taking place at the moment and especially when so many members of the business community are being targeted. It is the business community who always bear a heavier burden of armed attacks and robberies.
While private sector persons are being targeted some private sector organizations are more focused on finding out what the various political candidates have to say, rather than switching gear and publicly demanding assurances of national security.
Perhaps, the private sector should take a slight break from that sort of activity and come together to demand concerted and sustained action on the part of the security forces to deal with this recent upsurge in armed robberies.
A few weeks ago, there was a robbery at a location operated by a private firm. A man lost his life and it was reported that the images obtained from the security cameras at the location were not good enough to allow for an identification of those involved.
In light of what is happening now, in light of the fact that robberies are spread far and wide making it difficult for police patrols to cover all bases, it is incumbent now that the private sector lead a strong lobby to the government urging the purchasing of quality cameras to be placed in public places so as to help the police in their fight against crime.
If three billion dollars can be put in the hands of someone whose road building experience has been questioned, we can very well find whatever it takes to have public cameras.
The private also needs to have its members ensure that they have cameras both within their business and outside and that these cameras have good resolutions so as to provide clear images of what is taking place inside and outside the building. This will aid not only in the security of the business but also for public safety.
There are many persons, as we know, who are being robbed while leaving banks. And this has raised all manner of concerns as to whether there are lookouts in the banks or outside the banks and even more questions as to how the bandits are having knowledge of the movement of cash and valuables.
The private sector in this country has the influence to make known to the government that this sort of situation is not healthy as Guyana moves into election mode.
The security forces need to be doing more, and the public needs to support the security forces because unless the situation is brought under control now, it will deteriorate.
In another few days, there is going to be international cricket in Guyana. This is not the sort of climate in which to welcome the hundreds of persons who are coming to Guyana for the cricket.
The solution is not to place guns in the hands of businessmen.
has never been the best way to deal with a crisis in internal security. The solution is to ferret out the criminals from their hideouts.
When criminals are now going to be brazen enough to attack persons connected with policing, then the problem is exacerbated and needs to be nipped in the bud before its gets totally out of hand.
Almost everyday in Guyana there is a report of some armed robbery. Guyana is too small a country for crime to get so out of control.
It is time that a brake be placed on crime. The private sector can play a crucial role in lobbying for serious action to be now launched. Their members are being affected and its priorities should therefore shift from discussing with political discussions with political candidates towards working with all concerned to ensure public safety.
It does not matter what those political candidates have to say. Unless there is public safety in Guyana, businesses cannot thrive and when businesses suffer everyone suffers.
It is therefore in the interest of the private sector to press for an immediate action plan to deal with the recent upsurge in crime and for it to begin this process by publicly signaling its concern over what is taking place.

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