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City Constabulary to commence Christmas security system
…to zoom in on pick pocketing, excess dumping of garbage, vending practices
Come next week, the City Constabulary will officially get underway with their Christmas Security programme. They are applying zero tolerance towards negative activities such as pick pocketing, excess dumping of garbage and irregular vending practices that are prevalent during the Christmas season.
Deputy Chief Constable (ag) Trevor Merriman, told Kaieteur News, yesterday, that numerous measures have been put in place to ensure a safe and congestion-free shopping environment. Merriman said that some of the main focuses of his staff will be on increased criminal activities; an undertaking that would see the collusion of the police force.
“We will be on the lookout for the petty criminal activities that normally take place during this time,” Merriman noted. “This will include the police force and we have extended our co-operation as well as them extending theirs.”
The Constable mentioned that his staff will also focus on the prolonged dilemma of indiscriminate dumping of garbage and excess vending.
Vendors gear up for the Christmas rush
He explained that no new vendor will be allowed to occupy sidewalks and erect additional structures to their existing stands. The Constabulary is further clamping down on vendors who impede the smooth flow of traffic and hinder shoppers on thoroughfares and sidewalks by restricting seasonal sellers.
“There will be no new vendors during the Christmas period,” Merriman said. “But we will also ensure that the old vendors do not extend their businesses, since during the season they have the tendency to add to their existing structures; having a host of goods on the pave blocking people’s business entrances.”
Merriman noted that although there have been requests by some persons to vend for the season; it has been made clear that no new vendors will be tolerated this year. “Some vendors have been coming in and we have been saying no to them.”
The Chief Constable however added that with the entity being understaffed, it is hard to say how much additional vending can be kept under control since during the season, a large number of persons come out whether stationary or active.
On the issue of pollution and littering, Merriman told Kaieteur News that the Constabulary has forever been tackling the issue but for the season it intends to intensify the fight against indiscriminate dumping and littering. He said that it is normal for the Constabulary during this time to close down its clerical sections and have the staff out on the streets aiding the situation.
It was noted that a team of persons from Keith Burrowes’ office and members of the Constabulary are collaborating to deal with littering matters. He said that for the last two months, the Constabulary has been able to place plain clothes officers in strategic areas, monitoring dumping activities.
From that initiative, Merriman said that at least 90 persons have been arrested and charged since last month. These persons, he said, included ordinary citizens, social rejects and business owners who often pay those rejects to dump their waste.
Merriman said that apart from increased street patrols, those plain clothes officers will remain at strategic areas such as Robb Street, Regent Street, Stabroek Market, Bourda Market and other busy business areas to ensure that the season does not bring an influx of haphazard dumping.
Public Relations Officer for the Mayor and City Counsel, Royston King, contended that the Constabulary was given specific instructions that would aid with the shopping process this season. He noted that vendors and legitimate business owners were encouraged to adhere to the Constabulary’s orders.
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