Dear Editor,
When some minibus operators held strike action recently and called for the removal of security cameras, there were mixed reactions from everyone. Some were of the view that the cameras are the cause for many to be victimized, while others get away with lawlessness. Based on my information, many operators break the laws recklessly, and with the cameras present, charges are being brought against them with video evidence available, which did not go down well with many operators. On Social Media, still and video images could be seen posted up about the careless actions of drivers, especially minibus drivers. Some of these posts are from media operatives. Now there is no proper way to ease the lawlessness that is being perpetrated on the public by the minibus operators and many of them escape jail time with flimsy excuses, lack of proper evidence and eyewitness accounts, and in some cases, bribery at all levels.
The recent deadly accident that took two lives and caused numerous injuries to others on the Success, East Coast of Demerara (ECD) road is a typical example of the scant regard drivers have for people’s lives. The flimsy excuse is already there for the driver’s defence because, immediately after an accident or whenever there’s an accident, whatever occurs will always be discussed by other operators, who debate on avoiding such incidents in the future and argue excuses to escape jail time. As usual, sometimes there are ex-police amongst those gathered and with their knowledge of the law, their views will always be cherished. As I said before, the security cameras are the most effective method to combat crime and had there been security cameras around the vicinity (not certain if there are), I am quite sure that after reviewing the footage, charges would be laid against the guilty person. If any vehicle is being driven at the normal speed limit, there is no way that it would turn turtle and spin so many times when an accident occurs. At high speed, the vehicle is uncontrollable.
Editor, fair enough, lots of lawlessness is occurring daily on our roadways and many opine that the police are victimizing them, when the police are executing their duties. Some even go to the extreme of videoing the police and posting it on the various Social Media platforms in an attempt to embarrass the Guyana Police Force and its members. Looking at some of these posts, you will see some sort of abnormal behaviour from the police and it’s time the police be trained on how to handle these situations. Many of the videos clearly show the police bullying, and once they lay a charge or issue a ticket against you, there is nothing you can do about it unless you are affiliated with someone higher in the Guyana Police Force or the Government. On the latest video, the person filming was repeatedly heard asking the officer to show the driver the speed limit on the radar gun and the officer could be seen refusing. For me, it makes no sense that you get charged for something you cannot verify. The Guyana Police Force should issue an advisory on the way charges/tickets are being issued against speeding etc. Had the officer simply showed the man the radar gun and the speed limit that the police claimed the driver was driving at, all the problems would have been alleviated. If the officer makes a claim, how will that be proven in the Court of Law? The police will always be given the benefit of doubt. It is time the Guyana Police Force makes some radical changes. Running around once in a while and conducting stop and search operations will not ease the lawlessness happening daily.
Yours faithfully,
Sahadeo Bates
