CPG’s continue 35th anniversary with parade

Mar 07, 2011 News

Yesterday, Community Policing Groups (CPG) continued their 35th anniversary celebrations with an inter-religious service and a parade from Mon Repos to Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara.
The religious service was held at the Mon Repos Primary School and there were representatives from Christianity, Hinduism and Islam faiths.
The Parade, which is held annually, was hosted by the “C” Division Community Policing Committee, which is responsible for the East Coast Demerara district.
It commenced around 14:00 hours and Divisions A, B, C, and D marched from the Mon Repos Market Tarmac to the Lusignan Market Tarmac where Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee delivered brief remarks.
During the program, Chairman of the “A” division, Mr. Washington expressed gratitude to all who came and stressed the importance of Community Policing, while sharing with the audience some objectives of the programme.
First, he stated that one of the main reasons for the CPG is to assist the Police officials in detecting crime in order to make their communities safer. Secondly, to provide residents with a local outpost for them to discuss and try to resolve or at times prevent minor issues. He further stated that Community Policing Groups help develop awareness and curb crime which alternately improves communities.
Afterwards, contributions from each Division present were made towards the program including an African Drum recital from the “Kendel Group” that is based in Buxton, an Indian folk dance and a poem from Ragoo Nandan.
Then the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, took the microphone and he commended the organizers for integrating performances from different cultural groups, since he believes that unity is vital for ascension within Community Policing and also for Guyana in the whole.
He stated that the CPG achieved historic significance by reaching its 35th anniversary and he commended them for their respected status, which they deserve. He referred to the CPG as the eyes and ears of the police and he said that the East Coast (“C” Division) is a very important part of Guyana in terms of national security.

The “A” division contingent for the Community Policing Groups parade.

He further stated that Community Policing Groups should follow the appropriate protocols and go about their duties in a respectable manner and not look for any rewards because they will find themselves owing favours.
The Minister praised the long serving members and advocated for their continued hard work and existence since many CPGs in various divisions have become defunct over the years.
He stated that Guyana is one of the few Caribbean countries that have supported and advocated for Policing Groups so extensively and he urged for the number of groups to double from 56 to 112 for the 36th anniversary.