Security officials with big guns

Dec 02, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,

The police have issued a press statement of a visit to a number of private security services in the city on Friday.
The police said that the visit was to ensure “strict adherence” to the terms and conditions of their licences and the laws of Guyana.
The police said that they found that a number of the services were not adhering to basic safety requirements.
The police expressed concerns that heavily-armed personnel were seen in front of businesses and this caused unnecessary panic among shoppers.
Personnel were attired in civilian clothing without logos and authorized uniforms.
The personnel and owners were urged to operate in the premises and not outside on the pavement which is for the use of the public.
Police said they will be monitoring.
I want to applaud the police force for this initiative.
It definitely does not send the right message and image when the security officials stand at ready with high-powered weapons.
There is another more dangerous take on this issue.
When gunmen and bandits come, they exploit weaknesses. They look for what is visible. When you have personnel in the open, they are in the first line of fire.
However, how about the personnel at strategic areas in the premises? There are many ways to beef up security without being visible.
We see stores on Regent Street, especially Chinese ones, and the Massy Supermarket, Providence, and even in Diamond, where security officials are posted in front with AR rifles and other weapons. This is a dangerous practice in my view.
The police force should continue to monitor this situation.
I have overtime raised deep concerns over the situation.

Cobeer Persaud

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