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Beyond policing: building a more orderly and hospitable Guyana
Dear Editor,
The recent concerns raised by the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana regarding disorder and persistent disturbances along the Kingston seawall corridor behind the Marriott Hotel deserve serious national attention. While calls for enhanced policing, CCTV coverage and stricter enforcement are entirely appropriate, they should be viewed as only part of the solution.
Guyana is experiencing a civic and institutional deficit: many citizens have never consistently experienced environments where rules are predictable, public spaces are well-managed, and civic norms are reinforced by both society and government.
The challenges described are not unique to the Kingston seawall. Similar issues can be observed in aspects of roadway behaviour, littering, customer service, noise pollution and the management of public spaces across our country. They point to a broader challenge: the need to strengthen civic norms and public expectations in a rapidly changing society.
Guyana is undergoing an unprecedented economic transformation. However, economic growth alone does not automatically produce an orderly, safe and hospitable society. Institutions, infrastructure and civic behaviours must evolve alongside economic development.
A sustainable solution requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Government agencies should continue to improve enforcement of existing laws and regulations, but enforcement must be consistent, predictable and impartial. Public spaces should be intentionally designed and managed through better lighting, sanitation, designated recreational zones, adequate waste facilities and technology such as CCTV.
Equally important is investment in civic education. Schools, communities, religious organisations, businesses and the media all have roles to play in reinforcing the idea that public spaces belong to all of us and that each citizen has a responsibility to respect them.
The hospitality and tourism sectors are particularly important. Every visitor’s experience shapes Guyana’s reputation. In an increasingly competitive global tourism market, safety, cleanliness, courtesy and predictability are not luxuries; they are prerequisites.
Ultimately, no number of police patrols can permanently compensate for weak civic norms. Lasting progress will occur only when orderly conduct becomes not merely a legal requirement, but a widely shared social expectation.
Guyana has demonstrated repeatedly that it can adapt and succeed. As our nation continues its remarkable development, strengthening civic responsibility should be viewed as a national priority.
Respectfully,
Brian Chin
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