Learning from our tragedies

Apr 18, 2014 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

There were two unfortunate incidents that took place this past week that, as a society we should take note of, and commit to ensuring that steps are taken to ensure that these never happen again.
The first incident reflects the heartlessness of certain criminals in our country. It was reported that armed gunmen invaded a “wake” house and robbed the victims of cash, jewellery and cellular phones. This is descent into the lowest of low. How more heartless can the criminals become, when in the midst of a family grieving over the death of a relative, their “wake” house should be stormed and the mourners robbed of their belongings?
This is the sort of incident that enrages the public. What sort of human being would invade a “wake” house, and rob those sympathizing with the grieving family? All criminals are to be despised, but it takes a most rotten breed of criminals to add to the misery of persons in mourning by robbing them.
This incident brings back haunting memories of what happened to a crippled pensioner many years ago. The man was mourning his wife when bandits stormed his house and inflicted a merciless beating on him.
Guyana has a population below 750,000 persons and less than one per cent of these are believed to be engaged in criminal activities. Why should these scoundrels be allowed to make life miserable for the remaining 99% of the population? It is totally unacceptable that hard-working, innocent citizens cannot feel safe attending a “wake” house, much less to walk the streets unmolested.
The police are attempting at the moment to build good relations in Albouystown, an area that is believed to harbour many criminals. They had an outreach with the citizens who pledged their support for the police.
The majority of the people of this ward are peace-loving and law-abiding. But there is a minute minority that wishes to continue to smoke dope openly and to receive stolen property emanating from outside of the area. As such this small minority, oblivious and uncaring about the bad reputation that they are giving to their area, are attempting to bring an end to the police patrols by claiming police harassment. And you can bet that some naïve politicians are going to jump on their bandwagon.
The majority of the people of Albouystown want their area to be improved. Property values are at the lowest in that area because of the public perception about what takes place in that community. Helping to reduce crime in the area and improving the reputation of Albouystown will increase the value of properties there, while also making life better for residents. With increased security, the businesses community in that area – and there are many small bottom-house establishments in Albouystown – will do brisk business.
However, those who are who are now no longer able to smoke drugs openly on the roadways or to walks around with ice picks, knives and guns, or to transport stolen property through the area, will try to create animosity with the police, so that the patrols can cease. They must not be allowed to succeed.
The second sad incident that occurred this past week was the death of a four-month-old child at a day care centre. This throws into focus the system that we have in relation to maternity leave. There is no way that any four-month-old child should be in a day care centre and there is no way that a sick child should be admitted to such a centre. I am not blaming anyone here, but there needs to be some changes to ensure that something like this does not happen again.
A four-month-old baby should be at home with his or her mom. Instead of three months’ maternity leave, every mother should be entitled to six months leave.
Secondly, every child admitted on a daily basis to a day care centre should be thoroughly examined by trained medical personnel to determine whether they have any illness.
That child should not have been admitted, even if it was only a cold that he was suffering from, because the virus that led to the cold could have been transmitted to other children.
There needs to be a strengthening of regulations governing day care centres and at the same time, no child below the age of six months should be admitted to such a facility.

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