Sando businesses to close shop today

FOLLOWING Monday’s closure of most major businesses in the Penal/Debe area as a sign of protest against rampant crime, businessmen in that area resumed operations as an air of normalcy returned. However, businessmen along Cipero Street in the southern city of San Fernando are expected to follow their Penal/Debe colleagues and close up shop for three hours today.

President of the San Fernando Businessmen Association (SBA) Daphne Bartlett stated on Monday that it was “high time” something was done to arrest the crime situation which has seen over 90 murders so far in the year as well as a spate of kidnappings, robberies and break-ins. President of the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce Leo Doodnath has also been very vocal in his sentiments on crime. Yesterday Doodnath said businessmen opted for the partial shutdown on Monday as a means of signalling their anxiety over the ever-increasing crime wave.

Most businesses from the Debe/Penal area closed for business between 2 pm until 5 pm, with others remaining closed for the rest of the day.
Doodnath said the Association received a number of calls from business associations around the country expressing solidarity with the action and promising similar action in their districts. Businessplaces along Cipero Street, San Fernando would close today between 10 am to 1 pm.