A haven now unsafe: Society for the Blind fighting criminals

The Guyana Society for the Blind, housed in an unsuspecting building on High Street, Georgetown, has been a haven for many visually impaired and blind persons locally. It is a space where they can dwell, acquire skills and find much-needed community.

Over the past few months, however, the vulnerable persons who call this space their own have been losing their valuables and feeling unsafe due to a spate of robberies.

The Society’s Odessa Blair told the News Room that the Society has grappled with three robberies in June and July so far.

“It has become more intense now, they are coming through the windows.

“And we don’t know how but they are taking away a set of valuables,” Blair lamented.

Around the premises, broken windows are seen. Though the windows and doors are grilled, the robbers have found ways to get into the building and steal the valuables.

Blair said it is possible that the society is being targeted because those who frequent the space are blind or visually- impaired. Consequently, they cannot readily nab perpetrators stealing from them or positively identify suspects afterward.

So they are left counting their losses and hoping for any sort of justice.

“As persons with disabilities, who are trying to make a life for ourselves, it’s not fair to us to be carrying all these losses,” Blair said.

Blair hopes that the relevant authorities can address the matter and provide much-needed security support to the society for vulnerable folks.