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Crime and tourism
The New York media was ablaze with reports of a death in the tourist paradise of Anguilla. The circumstances are still hazy weeks later, and the circumstances disputed. But some clarity is emerging.
A man is dead, a native Anguillan. The alleged killer, a vacationing investment banker, has been allowed to leave the picturesque island and return with his family to the United States. The locals are furious at the latter development and cry out about injustice.
For his part, the American investment banker has insisted that there was aggression and unknown, but malicious intents, by the deceased, endangering his wife and two young daughters. The Anguillan died in the confrontation.
The American has committed publicly to returning and clearing any uncertainties relative to what did happen. Apparently, he was convincing enough for Anguillan law enforcement to release him and permit departure.
Whether agreed with or not, the entire sequence of events reflects certain longstanding priorities of tourist nations. There is heavy emphasis on maintaining and enhancing reputation, attraction, satisfaction, and continuation of the host country.
This is exhibited and achieved through standards, seriousness, and strength. Every need and eventuality are covered: that is why the visitors keep coming. They are catered to, get what they pay for, and feel safe. Those are the keys, and the latter should be the main lesson for Guyana.
Crime is a major concern here. Citizens feel shortchanged on safety, with officialdom shorthanded on reliability and record. That is terrible for Guyanese; it would be more terribly unsatisfactory for visitors. All it takes is one incident. There have been those. This country can embark on the best marketing strategy, expensive building programmes in the best part of town, and with the best additions and allurements. Not enough.
There is the need to reassure tourists through record, reputation, quality. Nobody will go anywhere to end up brutalised or worse yet – dead. Imagine the headlines. The scare stories. The damage. Who wants to buy a lovely building, to make a home, in a seedy, dismal part of town? Seedy and dismal are magnets for a certain kind of citizenry: derelicts, bottom-feeders, criminal classes.
Buyers will not come. And if they do, it has to be at a bargain basement price. Buyer’s remorse steps in quickly. The word spreads. Don’t go there. That could be Guyana with its crime problem; a problem destination. Spend money elsewhere. In peace. In true relaxation. Visit the spots, have a drink, take out wallet, walk back and absorb the sights and nights. Do all of this, without a worry in the world.
That is not Guyana today. It is longed for, not deliverable yet: crime waves are an inaccuracy. Because waves rise and fall; no such thing here.
Tourists are obvious: short pants, skimpy threads; a distinctive casualness, lack of urgency or awareness. Problem. For them. For police. For the country. Means they have currency; makes matters more enticing. Take a chance. Score one. That is one too many; Guyana cannot afford.
Positive development to consider is increasing criteria for police force recruitment. None could argue with professionalising. Another problem: who is so desirous? Who is so willing? The Guyana Police Force has signaled that it is. Still coming up short. Not enough bodies.
Professionalising and enhancing requirements are well meaning; there is the law of unintended consequences. Save that it may not be so unintended: look what is there now. Project what could be had by going this route. Quality maybe. Quantity would be foregone, but only if to get people in the door. Build a nucleus, create a calling. Protect. Serve. Respond. Honour.
Guyanese cry for it, though they resign themselves. Foreigners and those spending time and money are utterly unforgiving. They complain, they protest. Word gets around. Don’t go there. Avoid at all costs.
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