Desperation” and ‘hopelessness’ bring out the animalistic behaviour in a person

Sep 12, 2010 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It seems like every day there is another murder being committed, and the perpetrators have no mercy for the aged, the young nor the grieving families and orphans left behind. In the history of this nation, there has never been such a long, sustained period of gruesome crimes committed on Guyanese by Guyanese. And just when we thought the crime spree was over with the arrest of Roger Khan and the death of ‘Fineman’…the cycle continues.
Although I believe the police are doing everything within their limitations to control this surge, they are likely to be fighting a losing battle unless the current environment that breeds these miscreants of society ceases to exist.
According to Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, there have been 20 more murders committed over the same period last year. This does not include the gruesome murder of Dexter Gasper at his home in North Ruimveldt and the other victims who may be murdered before this letter is published. To date, 98 persons have been killed; and with more than three months left in the year, this figure is likely to exceed the 116 recorded in 2009.
The number of murders in 2008 totaled 158. For a country with a small population such as ours, this murder rate is simply unsustainable. It is comforting to know that 57 firearms have been seized so far this year according to Commissioner Greene, but murder by any means is still murder; as is evident from the last three victims who all had their throats slit.
There are many factors that are responsible for bringing out this animalistic behaviour in a person; the most common being: “desperation” and “hopelessness”. I do not condone crime in any form, and I am not an apologist for these low-life predators; I know the immense pain of losing a close relative at the hands at a heartless butcher in a similar heinous manner that took the lives of the two gold dealers in Bartica: Ramdeo Deonarine and Jainarine Raghubar. But in order to stop this senseless killing and escalating crime rate, we need to understand the root cause of this problem, and take effective measures to prevent them.
I’m sure if a survey is taken, most Guyanese would conclude that drugs and robbery are the main culprits, and they may be right. But what causes a father to put the lives of his three-year-old baby and the mother of his child in mortal danger, by getting involved in the risky illegal drug trade: Is it money, greed, or simply the belief that he can get away with it?
Quite possibly all of the above; but crimes of this nature usually start with a feeling of sheer desperation and hopelessness. When one is without hope, one becomes desperate and is more inclined to take risks; and when people become desperate, they uncharacteristically do desperate things for their own survival. If they achieve this objective however, they may be lured into a false sense of security and invincibility as greed now becomes the primary motivator, causing them to commit similar crimes again, and again…until they’re finally caught. By then, they are transformed to being hardened criminals and a menace to society.
In Guyana, where the unemployment rate is so high, that the Government is too embarrassed to release the figures, people are without hope, and some become desperate. Many are unemployed, and even those with jobs find it difficult to support their families a meager take-home-pay. Wages are very low, taxes are high, and more Guyanese are living below the poverty line. Some try to supplement their incomes taking bribes, while some resort to begging. Others unfortunately, turn to crime…those ‘get rich quick’ schemes are very tempting when one is desperate. Some become petty criminals, snatching gold chains and watches; while others are more daring, venturing into the more lucrative drug trade that can easily put an end to their freedom, or their lives. I believe most murders that are committed during a robbery, are done out of desperation and the fear of being identified.
I am pleased that finally, there are some positive moves by the authorities to curb domestic violence, as this crime has been placed on the back burner for too long. Although the general lack of respect for women in Guyana, and the abusive use of alcohol are main contributors to domestic violence, the failure to adequately provide for one’s family can be very stressful to the breadwinner as financial problems will inevitably affect the marriage, leading to alcohol abuse, frequent quarrels, physical confrontations, and sometimes even death.
Understanding the way the criminal mind works is vital to tracking down and arresting these perpetrators, and the Guyana Police seems to be doing a pretty good job at this; but prevention should be the goal here. As such, understanding the reasons good people sometimes turn bad is life-sustaining; and only by providing jobs and a realistic livable income in a community where there is hope and prosperity, could a significant reduction in theft, drug trafficking, domestic crime and murder, truly become a reality.
Harry Gill

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