David Grundall - tailor: ‘It was a good way of highlighting the problem rather than sitting about doing nothing. They are making the whole nation aware of the situation. But there is still a lot more to be done and more input is needed by a wide cross-section of Guyana, including political parties and persons with influence in society. Because it did not have that, I feel it only had a limited impact. I think it’s a fair criticism of the government and opposition, though the police could do more. And there’s the need for the cooperation of the public. That’s the crux of the problem hampering the drive against crime. But at least this will cause people to take notice and also the government and opposition. Moreso the government since whoever is in power are the ones ultimately responsible. The shutdown is a sign of desperation. A lot of pressure forced those businessmen to take that stand. But if you have a business now, you could get shot... it could happen to anybody.’

Liza Lee - consumer service clerk: ‘It really is a good move for the private enterprises especially since the government needs to look towards their security. More crimes are being committed on private enterprises rather than public, because that’s government. Government needs to create a safe haven for them because with the situation now they don’t feel secure. And I don’t want to be shopping and a whole lot of bandits move in and the poor guard can’t do anything. In my opinion Wednesday’s shutdown was very effective but on Thursday a lot of businesses reopened and it really did not have any effect on the public sector. I don’t think it really did anything much, they just nipped it in the bud. If it continued for a longer period maybe it would be more effective.’

Orwin Hinds - student: ‘It’s a waste of time. One day? I don’t think they had any impact, they didn’t do anything. It didn’t serve any purpose. It’s not like they succeeded in capturing criminals. Whenever they shut down the town they lose a lot of money. A lot of stores will feel it, they have to pay bills, and workers, they are just losing money. Let’s say they shut down for a month, do you think you would get paid? Shutting down can’t force the government to do anything. It’s the police they should be focusing on. They never reach on time, they are never doing anything. They never cooperate with each other or the community. This town could run smoothly if the police did their work.’

Evette Wilson - nurse: ‘We know that achievements just don’t come in one day. They got the message out that they needed to do something drastic and they sent a message that the [crime] situation needs to change because it has affected all of us, not any one person. If they [the businessmen] had done this since when the others, those from all the sides, all the parties, were trying to send their messages, either congratulating or condemning, it would have been more effective. And though on the negative aspect, most people participated out of fear, though others did because they wanted to, it made the impression they wanted it to have. We got the ones who we wanted, to notice us. This is where we see the people who are the ones who got the say. We see the power of the people and regardless of the call by the Public Service Minister, many people stayed away from their jobs, endorsing the shutdown’.

Brother Noah - Africanist: ‘My view is that it was a good thing. And it brought it to the government in particular, that the crime wave needs to be stemmed. This was a way for the government to be shown the people’s disgust. I don’t think the government should take this action lightly. They should do something to ensure that the situation gets better.’

Rohinee Balkaran - teacher: ‘I don’t think the shutdown will solve the problem. I don’t know anything about politics, but all countries have crime. You can’t shut down the country because of that. In my opinion that could make the situation worse. Maybe they have to find other means. It’s not magic, you don’t just shut down the country and the crime goes away. And this will severely affect Guyana’s economy. Let’s say they shut down for a longer time, like a month, what will happen to those who depend on a daily living or daily business? You can’t just look at the situation from one point of view. It will affect everyone.’

Keith Waldron - businessmen: ‘It’s a good gesture but they need more cooperation. I would say the first day was good but the second day support wasn’t so good. But they sent their message out. I hope the government and opposition will react. I think we all should come out together to show more support. But I think a protest would have been better, it would have shown more strength. I don’t like the idea of people just hiding behind a door.’

C. Parker - housewife: ‘In my opinion people need God, he is the only answer to the problems in the country. I don’t think the shutdown did anything. The killing is still going on, the robberies are still going on, they haven’t done anything. It’s still going on! Though in a way they might have gotten the government’s attention. But I don’t think they had the support and cooperation of everyone. Some places stayed closed and some others opened. If they had the cooperation of the whole country they could have gotten it done. They just need to get everybody involved. They need more cooperation.’

N. Lewis - photographer: ‘I don’t think they were effective. It needs to be longer, let’s say a week. Start on Monday because then you can tie-up everything from overseas. It was just like two public holidays which fell at mid-week. If it was a week it would cripple this nation and send the message that something needs to be done. A shut down for a week would bring this country to its knees.’