Stores in Albina closed until further notice

Storekeepers in Albina on Wednesday decided to keep their businesses closed until further notice in response to the armed robbery of a gas station and a store. Guo Jinzhu, spokesman of the retailers in Albina, told Times of Suriname that the retailers decided to keep their stores closed to demand more action from the government or the police against local crime that is increasingly becoming more violent. In the past couple of months several retailers and employees at gas stations were the victims of aggravated assault and robbery. The retailers and the gas station employees are evidently fed up with the situation. “Things can no longer go on like this. People who are out there to make an honest living are being assaulted and robbed. This has gone far enough and must stop,” said Guo Jinzhu who added that the police can’t guarantee the safety in the area because the Albina police station is undermanned. “This problem has existed for years and we want a solution because we are afraid to open our stores,” said Jinzhu who added that the ‘campaign’ is aimed at giving the authorities a wakeup call. Jinzhu explained that the retailers are waiting for the various authorities to respond. When the retailers at Albina feel safe again, they will open their businesses again. “The government often promised to build a police house at Albina so that more police officers could stay in the area but nothing has been done yet.”

Grace Watamaleo, who is a legislator from the Marowijne District deems it regrettable that the retailers decided to keep their businesses closed for now. She explained that the local residents will become the victims because they can no longer buy things locally. The MP pointed out that she could relate to the retailers who are fed up with the many robberies. Marowijne District Commissioner Freddy Daniels could not be reached for comment.