Mayor declares zero tolerance for street vending
Stabroek News
December 5, 2003
Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green yesterday declared that the City Council will take a zero tolerance stance against illegal street vending.
His remarks came weeks after Regent Street vendors, who were removed several years back, reoccupied spots on that street in anticipation of a rise in business activity for the Christmas season.
In a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) Green said no permission was given to the vendors to sell on the street.
He added that he had met members of the City Constabulary and charged them to do their job.
When Stabroek News visited the area late yesterday afternoon his instruction was clearly not adhered to since several persons were still seen selling from their recently erected stalls and trays on the pavement.
A few City Constabulary members stood by with batons but no attempts were made to remove or persuade the vendors to depart.
As was expected of the Water Street vendors before they were installed on the Toolsie Persaud land, the vendors on Regent Street were closing off business at 6 pm and also removing their stalls. But as far as the law goes their presence on the street is illegal.
Two years ago the City Council had met unrelenting opposition from vendors on Regent Street when it took steps to remove them.
It took a court ruling to ban them from selling on the street, but with Christmas approaching, many vendors are capitalising on the increase in business activity.
Also with the reduction of business activity on Water Street, Regent Street has now become the premier commercial street in the city.