In the middle of a confluence of crises in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Commissioner of Police acting, Mr. Clifton Hicken, had the presence of mind to turn up in noisy and boisterous Leonora during last Sunday. However he was greeted, the Top Cop (ag) made sure he left his own greeting card that was filled with powerful writing. The writing was in big, bold print. Cut out the disorder. Show some respect for the law and the community. These are the standards that just prevail effective immediately. Something tells me that this was bigger than commissioner Clifton. Come to think of it, no Guyanese in his right mind would mistake Leonora for la-la-land, or some neighborhood without its champions. Look at its proudest product, its most remarkable son. Mess with the president, or his village people, and there is hell to pay. It is why Commissioner Hicken took the time to made a flying visit, and that alone should be worth another six months on the job. An elections round is on the turntable, so there is a need for strong and trusted continuity. And, of course, the maturity, sincerity, and efficiency that Mr. Hicken brings to the table. He is a known soldier for worthy government causes.
When the commissioner went to Leonora, he left some new standing orders. Bars must be shut tight at 02:00hrs. Bhar-rat Jagdeo just lost that battle in his culture war. No loitering. No traffic congestion. No trafficking of any kind (powder or people). Suddenly, with all these no(s), Leonora is a veritable no-man’s land for rowdies, toughs, and assorted post-midnight hoods. Wherever Vice President Jagdeo came up with his idea of culture, the president and all his men just put the kibosh on that over there. Leonora? Is somebody kidding? Not in my Leonora! That’s showing them who is the boss, boss. In fact, there will be a police presence to monitor developments, and the word is that those responsible for noise and nuisances will be the ones paying that bill. It took a while, but as William Shakespeare wrote, all’s well that ends well. Hopefully, Mr. Jai Lall and other law-abiding community residents will now get to enjoy the peace and tranquility provided for in the Guyana constitution. Also, it is said that the wheels of government move slowly, and when they do move, then the usual direction is in reverse. On this occasion in Leonora, government moved as one and from the very top to lay down the law in Leonora. Good going, commissioner Clifton, who was given the honor of being the point man. Nice to see a good job being done. Especially with Diwali coming up: it is heartening to hear of the elements of darkness being read the riot act and ordered to stay in line. It is time to let the sun start to shine through. I cannot imagine a more enlightening and endearing Diwali gift.
Now, I must strike while the iron is warm. Commissioner Hicken should know that there are other besieged communities across Guyana that are also under the noise explosion gun. I could refer him to Kitty, in the vicinity of that feeder road into the East Coast Highway, and then there are other places in Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice. All he needs to do is read the letter columns. Or get a proper briefing from Attorney General Anil Nandlall who has all the files, knows all there is to know about the perps openly urinating on the police, the government, and the law. Reports are that regular citizens are being held hostage by music terrorists at all hours of the night and throughout the working week. There must be similar sweeping action by the police, if hometown President Ali is to avoid (justifiably so) any claims of using the full weight of his office (it is considerable) in a manner that reflects either bias or indifference. In other words, different folks and different places mean different strokes. Leonora should not be the exception. I think it would make a world of difference for acting Commissioner Hicken. He gets to shift his fertile but agitated mind from internal police woes to what worries other people in various parts of Guyana. He gets to see the country on the government’s wallet. He gets to show how he can do a remarkably good job, when given the room to operate. Considering all this, I have a recommendation to make. Remove the acting from in front of his job title. While at it, be flexible with retirement age. All that is required is a new birth certificate, one of the easiest and least costly documents to obtain in Guyana. I believe that that just cost me the last remaining friends that I had sticking around in the hope I stop my foolish ways. Sure, it is not Carlos Santana, but who cares. My new friend is Clifton Hicken, the commissioner who tamed Leonora. With some behind-the-scenes help and authority of Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, of course.
