Latest update November 25th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- ExxonMobil commences design for 7th project as Gov’t remains ‘iffy’ over approval
- Gov’t extends deadline for proposals on second phase of Gas-to-Energy project
- Hezbollah rockets land near Tel Aviv after big Israeli strike on Beirut
- 121 drivers nabbed speeding, 248 with unauthorised tinted glass
- Cop stabbed by Venezuelan national
City Constabulary launches bicycle patrol
“It is a simple and humble beginning to what is expected to be the advancement of the security features, concept and capacity of the Georgetown municipality.”
These sentiments were expressed by Mayor Hamilton Green at yesterday’s launching of the City Constabulary Bicycle Patrol.
“Very often we view security with sophisticated equipment, electronic equipment, and ignore what we are dealing with today – the basic fundamental of patrol and having some intimacy with our people on the ground,” Mayor Green told a small gathering, which included councilors and an official from the US Embassy in Georgetown.
The launching of the new bicycle patrol is being viewed as one of great significance to the city since it occurred at a very important period when Guyana plays host to Carifesta X which commences today.
The initiative is a result of an arrangement between the Mayor and City Council and the Miami Police Department, USA.
According to Deputy Mayor Robert Williams, this stems from the relations developed as a result of a recent visit by local City Council officials to the Miami Conference of Mayors.
Williams noted that the bicycle patrol will usher into the city a new sense of adherence to the rule of law.
It will enable constant inspections, reports and actions against violations of the city by-laws.
“It is not a Target Squad or the Black Clothes. It is a humble effort to ensure safety in the city,” the Deputy Mayor said.
The ranks who form the patrol underwent a period of rigorous training under the guidance of two United States of America police officers.
The training consists of manoeuvring the bicycles at slow pace and over obstacles, which is consistent with riding in a city environment.
Gary McLaughlin, of the Sacramento Police Department, USA, informed that the training team was invited by a local City Council official.
He graciously announced that the students had risen to the expectations of the trainers.
“We are very excited. They have a lot of challenges ahead of them,” McLaughlin said.
Mayor Green said that the municipality is looking forward for friends in North America and elsewhere to support the humble beginning of the new patrol and urged those who went through the training not to take the job ahead lightly.
He noted that the two American trainers have come to Guyana with years of experience, hard work and discipline, and warned against those who feel that they can become experts overnight.
“I am sure they (trainers) will tell us before they leave that what they had done is merely provide the basics and we have got to use our initiative, our good sense and our intelligence to improve upon what they have left with us, and most importantly, to ensure that there is a culture of maintenance, both of the cycle and of the bodies,” Mayor Green advised.
He expressed the hope that the bicycle patrol will impress the business community who ought to come to the Council’s assistance as it seeks to improve the municipality.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The business class also funds undemocratic parties
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- There’s a peculiar phenomenon in Guyana, a sort of cyclical ritual, where members of... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
