Dear Editor,
I am mesmerized by the tone of Lincoln Lewis’ letter, ‘During the Jagdeo presidency crime was rampant, fear stalked the land’ (SN, October 22). Mr Lewis implied that crime is not a cause for concern today as it was during Mr Jagdeo’s presidency.
Approximately one day after that letter appeared, I turned on the TV to notice Mr Granger responding (to the well-orchestrated) question on crime, by the NCN and SN reporters. Instead of speaking directly on the issue of the level of crime, Mr Granger began to philosophize on the reason for crime, dwelling on the narco occurrence in the past and present. (He never mentioned anything about the release of prisoners and the impact that has had on the psyche of the average Guyanese).
I wonder when was the last time Mr Lewis took a ‘Guyana-concern’ thermometer test. If he did lately, he would know that the number one concern on the minds of Guyanese is crime.
“It is instructive” (using the term Mr Lewis employed in his letter) that three days after his missive was published, another letter on crime surfaced in the Kaieteur News, by Raquel Thomas-Caesar. Like most Guyanese, Ms Thomas-Caesar is petrified by the crime situation in Lamaha Gardens and is “deeply concerned over the escalating crime situation that has been plaguing the community over the last few months”. I surmise that what is true for Lamaha Gardens is true for virtually every part of the country.
Businesses close early, taxis and minibuses lose business, pedestrians are less visible and ordinary Guyanese are scared to travel and mingle after dark. And you’re giving us the jim cock mek ram goat story on crime?
During the last election I prayed that APNU would get into power; I thought Mr Granger would have had a better grasp on handling the crime situation. I am sorely disappointed; I do not think I’ll pray that prayer again!
Yours faithfully,
Devanand Bhagwan
