Executions continue with impunity

Oct 06, 2010 News

Despite police boast of locking down city…

The Guyana Police Force has issued a warning that they will not sit idly by and allow gangs, groups or persons to act unlawfully.
The warning comes in the wake of another execution-style killing of two men on Stone Avenue, Campbellville on Monday night.
At around 20:15 hours on Monday, Patrick Goodluck, 39, a mason of Perth Village, Mahaicony and Godfrey Grootfaam called ‘Mosquito’ of Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, were riddled with bullets shortly after leaving the home of Goodluck’s children in Campbellville.
The evidence so far has suggested that the killers used AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm and a .45 calibre weapons.
It was the same type of weapons that were reportedly used in the execution of five persons including a two-year-old child at Cummings Lodge a few weeks ago.

Police recovered several spent shells comprising 7.62x39, 9mm and .45 ammunition.

According to the police, the force has taken note of what it described as the recent spate of drive-by shootings, which has resulted in the deaths of eight persons around the city and on the East Coast of Demerara.
The force also wishes to note findings of 7.62 x 39 spent shells at each of these crime scenes suggesting the use of automatic rifles.
However, while there is not sufficient evidence to link these scenes at this point in time, the force issued a warning to all gangs, groups or persons that “this lawlessness and unlawful action will not be allowed to happen. We are prepared to act lawfully and condignly and have upped our anti crime status of operations and will continue to take action as it is necessary.”
But the police anti-crime posture appears to be having very little effect in the curtailing of the wanton executions that have resurfaced, bring back memories of the dreaded crime wave of 2002-2006.
During that period, it was widely acknowledged that a gang of phantom killers with some amount of protection was responsible for the murders of several characters, who were said to have criminal links.
A few weeks ago, Police Commissioner Henry Greene had announced that the force’s anti-crime posture in the city had forced criminally-minded persons to shift their operations to other areas.
Greene had boasted of several patrols being deployed in strategic areas around Georgetown to maintain a lid on crime.
Within the past week those words have come back to haunt the force with two brazen executions in the city itself.
In fact, Monday night’s killings occurred within a few feet from the residences of several senior government functionaries.
Echilibar Villas, which is located on Stone Avenue, a few feet from Royal Drive where the killing occurred, houses a government minister and a judge among other government functionaries.
According to a government official, the fact the killers were so brave to come within a few feet of where there is supposed to be tight security, to commit their act and then calmly driving away, speaks volumes.
This is coupled with the fact that there is a permanent police patrol on Sherriff Street.
“Who is really locking down the town? Is it the police or the criminals?” the official asked.
“Where were the police patrols for the Campbellville area at the time of the shooting?” was another question asked.
Monday night’s gunshots were heard almost a mile away and yet the police patrols were nowhere near to at least intercept or give chase behind the fleeing gunmen.
Last evening Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, declined to comment on the recent criminal activities and the police response or lack thereof.He indicated that he will be thinking the matter over and will respond at the appropriate time.
Mention was made of the recent acquisition by the force of a number of vehicles to aid in the crime fight.
“These ranks are driving around, sitting in fancy vehicles with air conditioning and music. Is this how you fight criminals? People are fearful because high-powered weapons are being used in the city. When will the next killing occur? These people could strike anywhere,” the government official stated.