Blatant disrespect shown to law enforcement officers by truckers traversing the Berbice Bridge

Oct 11, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I am disgusted by the blatant disrespect shown to law enforcement officers by truckers traversing the Berbice Bridge.
Almost daily, truck drivers can be heard arguing with and cursing ferociously at police officers stationed at the Berbice Bridge toll plaza, who are merely trying to maintain order.
Every day, trucks crossing the bridge are required to be weighed to ensure the safety of the bridge and to determine the amount that the driver is required to pay to cross. In the US, bridge and highway tolls for trucks are determined by the number of axles a truck has. In Guyana, the gross weight of a vehicle is critical to the integrity of the structure. It is therefore imperative that the gross weight of trucks crossing the bridge be regulated to guard against overweight. As such, all trucks crossing the bridge are required to first drive on a scale to be weighed. The weight is also used to determine the toll for that vehicle.
But although a system seems to be in place to allow trucks to stop and wait their turn before proceeding onto the scale, all too often an impatient, arrogant truck driver gets on to the scale without being called up, only to find another one approaching from the opposite direction. Because both drivers believe they were first in turn, two trucks often end up on the scale at the same time, each determined to be weighed before the other.
When the bridge security tries to adjudicate, all hell breaks loose. Truck drivers and their helpers are often heard cursing and arrogantly defying a direct order to back off the scale, from police officers at the bridge.
This lawlessness and bold aggression shown to law enforcement at the Berbice Bridge must not be tolerated. These police officers, mostly women, must be protected by strengthening the laws of Guyana, to allow police officers to arrest and prosecute anyone who defies a direct order from law enforcement. This disrespect for police officers in the line of duty is not tolerated in other countries, it must not be practiced here, despite one’s personal opinion of the Guyana Police Force.
At the end of the day, police officers too have families to go home to. They protect us from the scum of society and remain vigilant when most of us sleep soundly at night. And although there are those unscrupulous ones who tarnish the image of the Guyana Police Force, most take pride in the pledge they take to protect and to serve. They deserve our respect!
Harry Gill

Latest News

Blatant disrespect shown to law enforcement officers by truckers traversing the Berbice Bridge

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Annandale Girl’s, Covent Garden Boy’s crowned Region 4 Windball...

ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 – AUS v...

Springer’s ‘three-peat’ Gold highlights...

One Guyana PM dominoes tourney set for May 4 in...

Port Mourant Turf Club Easter horserace meet...

Shattas and Capital FC battle for $700,000 in...

Features/Columnists

A disunited front in the face of Empire

A Chance to steer U.S.–Caribbean Relations through Trade Winds and other Passing Storms

War by another name

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Blatant disrespect shown to law enforcement officers by truckers traversing the Berbice Bridge

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]