Is this a case of victimization or harassment?

Sep 16, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I  think that I am been victimized by the Police at BV police station.  On Tuesday 18th August 2011, I was at home doing my usual chores and listening to Gospel Music.  About 12:30 hrs.  a police vehicle  stopped outside of my residence and three ranks entered my yard.
The female police rank said, “Madam your neighbour made a report that your music is disturbing her.” I responded saying “Madam you be the judge. Is my music too loud to disturb any neighbour?’’  I cannot and will not play music loud since I have tenants downstairs.
I got no answer, She then said, “Anyhow turn it down lower.”  I did not only turn it down lower instead I turned it off.  I then said, “This woman’s source of electricity is a generator since she doesn’t have GPL power to her house. This generator is placed on her step and I’ve been reporting about this noise for almost over a year now and you people have done nothing about that because she is your friend.”
The female officer replied, “Madam I did not come here for that, I came to warn you about your loud music that is disturbing the woman,” and they left.
On Friday 19th August 2011 I heard a vehicle blowing outside my home. I saw a male and a female police ranks. The female was the said person that came before and the male identified himself as the Sergeant of BV Police Station.  The female officer said, “Madam the woman said that since we left on Tuesday you “buse” her and you have up some scarecrow with her name on it.”
I said, “Madam I work out of town and left just after you people for work that same day. I only returned home about an hour ago, and you may have a look at the scarecrow to see if there is a name on it.” They both looked at it. The sergeant said,”Why do you have that up there? The woman said is for her so take it down.”  I said, “I am sorry sir. This is my fence; it is situated on my land and that scarecrow is for the protection of my plants from birds and other stuff. It has been for a long, long time and I am not taking it down.”
He said, “Madam we’ll  have to take you to the station. Get into the van.” I then very emphatically said no way am I going to the station, that they were violating my democratic right of putting whatever I wish on my fence.
The sergeant then said, “Ok we’ll do what we have to do.” The said afternoon I went to see the commander of C Division and inform him of what happened and he said that he would have a talk with the Sergeant.
On Tuesday 23rd August at 10:45 a.m. as I was leaving for the University of Guyana the police came to my residence again. This time there were two ranks, one in uniform and the other in civilian clothing.  The rank in civilian clothing said, “Good morning madam, you are scheduled to attend court this morning at Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.”
I said, “I am sorry sir. I am not aware that I was on a charge of any sort, so what I am to attend court this morning for?” He said, “When you get there you will know.”  I replied, “I am amazed by your actions but I am going to the University now and cannot go to the court.” He said, “Madam if you do not go we’ll issue an arrest warrant for you.”
I immediately returned upstairs and called the Commander C Division, but was told that he was out on duty.  I proceeded to UG and after, I called again for the Commander and he was still out of office.  I subsequently went to Georgetown to the Police Complaints Department and spoke a Senior Officer.
The officer gave a note to take back to the Commander.  I did so. The Commander chided him for acting in an unlawful manner by not issuing me with a warrant, not having me signed to a report or not even a recognizance   note and then showed up at my home at 10:45 to say that I should appear for a Court Hearing the same day.
On Wednesday 31st August while at work I received  a call from  my neighbour to say that the police were at my home. The downstairs tenant said that they did not answer and they left.  On Tuesday September 6, 2011 again the police showed up at my home. My niece who was home said she did not answer since she was afraid because they had guns.
On Friday September 9, 2011 they showed up again I was told, and again my niece said that she did not answer because they always have long guns.
On Sunday 11th September we were awakened by the police. I went outside and was told by a police officer,  “Madam good morning, I have a summons from the Magistrate at Sparendaam Court  for you to appear in court .”
I collected the summons.  The summons stated that I am to appear before the Magistrate on Wednesday September 19, 2011  to answer charge for playing my music in a loud and continuous manner to the annoyance of Michelle Gilkes.
Mr. Editor Wednesday 19thSeptember, 2011 doesn’t appear on my calendar and I wish to say that such a charge is far from the truth since in the presence of the female officer and the other ranks I did not only turn down my music but I took it off.
I have Tenants downstairs and cannot and will not play loud and continuous music.  I think that the Sergeant is victimizing me because I went to Senior Ranks with regards to the unlawful manner in which he performed his duty as a Police Officer and secondly because I am fully aware that he and the VC are associates.
I am scared  of the frequent presence of the police at my residence and charging me to appear in court on a date that doesn’t exist. It is scary enough to wonder what next will I suffer in the hands of the Beterverwagting Police
Name Given

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