Dear Mr Editor
A young man was shot and killed by a security guard on Saturday night, in front of the Smiling Supermarket on Triumph Line top. My condolences to the Benjamin family.
That said this incident raises questions which we must confront as a nation.
Among these are questions to be answered by the community and those by central Government. This incident stemmed from loud music.
Twist it or turn it as a people we have been very tolerant and lax at the same time. Last Saturday night probably around the time Mr Benjamin was shot I had to call out to some young men to turn down the music. People take it for granted that if they have a car, it gives them the license to play music loudly. Toleration of noise nuisance for some is a way of avoiding confrontation, so generally many simply prefer to allow the endure the assault on their auditory system be it on the road, in a mini-bus, in their home or places of business.
Laxity is seen when for instance in a mini-bus someone raises objection to loud and lewd music many simply turn on the complainant expressing views that indicate that he/she should use a private vehicle, etc.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the immediate vicinity of Chinese Supermarket is very common. However, this practice totally runs counter to the established legal norms relative to the sale and consumption of alcohol within the borders of our country. A business place licensed to sell or on which alcohol can be consumed usually have such license placed in a position of prominence for all to see. I have never seen such license on any of the Chinese Supermarket I have visited.
I have witnessed in recent times Police ceasing/confiscating beers and other alcoholic beverages from Guyanese businesses premises not licensed to sell or for the consumption of alcohol. On the other-hand I am not aware of the Police ever going to a Chinese Supermarket to stop the consumption of alcohol which invariably is accompanied with loud music, provided by the consumers and sometimes by the businesses.
In concluding I lay the death of Mr Benjamin to those who condone the consumption of alcohol at Chinese Supermarkets that are not licensed for such activities and to those who encourage loud and vulgar music to be played even to the annoyance of others.
Yours truly
Elton McRae
