Police to engage business community on movement of containers

Dec 04, 2012 News

---

 

The Police Traffic Department will soon be engaging the business community to work out an arrangement for the movement of container trucks and other heavy duty vehicles through the city during the hectic festive season.
Traffic Chief, Brian Joseph, told Kaieteur News yesterday that his department has been paying keen attention to the movement of these vehicles and the effect they have been having on the free flow of traffic in downtown Georgetown.
The movement of containers during this time of year has

always created a headache for motorists and traffic management as businesses hurry to stock their shelves with imported items for the much anticipated Christmas shopping frenzy.
And with the significant increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, there is no wonder that the presence of the heavily laden container trucks, especially during peak hours of traffic, has caused several build-ups with long lines of frustrated motorists.
“We have been telling the ranks that whenever these trucks are coming through, especially in the busy part of the morning, wait until the traffic eases down. They have been creating the congestion, especially along the East Bank Demerara. That is one of the things that we were discussing this morning,” the traffic chief explained.
“During this week…we will talk to the businessmen and address the problem,” he added.
Apart from the container trucks, parking in the city is also a major worry, with the Traffic Chief acknowledging the limitations of designated areas.
He disclosed that an approach was made to the Ministry of Public Works with a view to identifying some areas for the purpose.
“The Minister was really receptive to us…he told us that they are looking at it but at this juncture, they really cannot address it.”
Meanwhile, the customary increase in street vending, especially along Regent Street, will also be engaging the attention of the Police Traffic Department.
The Traffic Chief said that his department will be seeking the assistance of the City Constabulary with a view to dealing with the matter in order to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic along the major shopping thoroughfare, especially during the hectic Christmas period.
“What we find is that some of these people are selling on the pave and those same people own vehicles and they are parking them on the road and they are narrowing Regent Street,” the Traffic Chief said.
Two weeks ago, the police launched its Christmas Policing Plan, which encompassed both crime and traffic measures.
The Traffic Chief said that while he is not totally satisfied that all is well, his department is still assessing some of the systems that were put in place to facilitate easy commuting in the city.
New traffic arrangements in certain sections of the city came into effect from December 1.
Under the temporary arrangement, there will be a one-way flow of traffic going north along Hinck Street, between Regent and Robb Streets, while traffic moving west along South Street between Hinck and Water Streets will head north into Water Street.
Two-way traffic will resume on Smyth Street between Hadfield Street and Brickdam.
Additionally, there will be two-way traffic at Albert Street between North Road and Regent Street.
“We are looking at it (new arrangements) because only two days ago the markings were placed on the roads…we have to observe it this week and see how it will work,” Assistant Commissioner Joseph told Kaieteur News.
And the Police ‘A’ Division will also have to review its crime fighting posture for the Christmas season in light of a spate of brazen daylight robberies in the city.
Over the last weekend, at least two such robberies occurred with one resulting in the shooting of a Brazilian businesswoman.
In their effort to keep a lid on criminal activity during this period, the Force has deployed scores of additional ranks on the streets of the city.
However, their presence has done little to deter the criminally minded, since most of them are unarmed.
This approach by the police is attributed to the several recent breaches of standard operating procedures by some of its armed ranks.
“We are trying to reduce the level of firepower on the streets in keeping with a more people friendly posture. It seems that the criminals have recognized this and are taking advantage,” a senior police officer explained.
While he admitted that the force may be between a rock and a hard place, an effective method will have to be implemented to stem the instances of armed robberies, while maintaining a less violent police posture.

---

---