An illegal rum shop where violence and death wait

Feb 01, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
We wish to bring to the attention of the Minister of Public Security and the Head of the Guyana Revenue Authority the harm of illegal rumshops along the roadways of the West Coast Demerara and East Bank Essequibo.
For too long GRA officials and policemen have been accepting bribes to turn a blind eye to these illegal operations that are operating on a large scale and are done in view of the public.
Gone are the days of illegal bottom house rumshops, here are the days of large enclosed styled, brightly painted bars well equipped with dancing girls and strip tease. These shops do not adhere to the 2pm clampdown regulations despite being alongside the major public roads. Police patrols are given bribes to turn a blind eye or they are given free beers. On any given day or night, you will find boys below the age of 16 imbibing alcoholic beverages. Many reports have been made but too many officials have been turned blind.
There is a specific illegal bar located alongside the Greenwich Park Public Road. This establishment is a well known venue for many accidents and murders. Last year January 22 year old Dewaun Bacchus was brutally stabbed after an altercation with a patron on the said premises. A couple months, prior to that, a young driver who was imbibing was killed in a drag race stint. A few nights ago a man was brutally stabbed by another patron whilst drinking. He is currently on life support at the hospital. No report or statement has been made by the owners of this drinking spot about this incident to the police. The owners are denying that the incident took place on their premises and are pointing fingers at another drinking spot (illegal as well) next door.
Many complaints have been made to GRA and the police about the illegality and nuisance of these operations but to no avail. Residents of the village are quite fed up of the lawlessness that consists of cursing, loud music, fighting, etc. These bombard our lives daily. We can’t sleep in peace. The owners were approached by residents who aired their concerns but were greeted with a bunch of ‘cuss-down’ words and the following boast; “nobody can’t do we nothing, we does grease the fat cats so we can’t close down.”
Is it fair that GRA increases the licensing fees for rum shops and there is no crackdown on illegal drinking spots? How can the registered businesses prosper whilst these illegal shops are mushrooming about the place giving stiff competition? It seems as though “business persons” who are flaunting the law are more protected than those who paid their taxes and dues on time.
Fed-up residents
Three signatures

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