The rise of crime in our country

May 02, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The sudden rise of crime in our country is now a concern for all Guyanese citizens and the re-introduction of blackouts makes it easier for thieves and criminals to escape very easily from the police and citizens.
Just a week ago while we were in church service on a Sunday night a week before Easter a man walked into our church yard as if he was coming to church. He suddenly jumped on a bicycle that belonged to one of my church member that was parked in our church yard and rode away.
Though we recognised the man as a common bicycle thief, he was never apprehended by the police or the policing group, who visited his home. As a matter of fact my church member reported the matter to the police but they never came to arrest the thief even though we knew where he is living.
It gives one much food for thought to think about thieves invading churches during prayers and worship just to thief. Now I am told thieves are coming on bicycles robbing stores and members of the public; also they are operating on motorcycles. A policeman was recently shot trying to rescue a woman who was robbed by two bicycle bandits and a businessman was shot and killed in Industry after going home from the bank.
It seems as if information are getting into the hands of bandits directly from the banks because the bandits know where residents are living so they can wait for them not far from their homes to kill and rob them.
Our country is not a very safe place to live in because of the high crime rate that has invaded our society. It seems as if the police force is too poorly equipped to deal with criminals with high powered guns. When crimes are occurring the police will not show up when they are called, some will show up only when they are given a raise or bribe to do so.
The crime rate has increased because many of our police officers are very corrupt. They will curse and behave very terrible in the stations when reports are made to them. Not long ago after I returned from church about 8:30pm, I discovered thieves broke into our house and ransacked the place. My wife drove to the police station that was just five minutes away. No police came on the scene. The exact moment they just took her report though she offered to use our vehicle to bring them. If they would have come with dogs they would have been able to track down the thieves, but because of incompetence I suffered severe losses.
Thieves are all over our country from the city of Georgetown, to Berbice and Essequibo. After 18 years in office our government failed to implement a very efficient police force and better technology to catch thieves and criminals. Our laws in the courts cannot protect our citizens because some clever lawyers are representing criminals, thus they are set free very easily.
I seldom asked the question what is the purpose of the Guyana Defence Force? Are they defending the rights of our citizens? Are they working to protect our citizens? Or are they just sleeping, playing dominoes and getting fat? Since the police cannot handle criminals, why is it the soldiers are not out to help the police? It seems as if our President is very much afraid to authorise the soldiers in Guyana to get out of their slumber and work for their salaries.
What plans does our existing administration have to tackle this crime situation in Guyana?
I am told about the one laptop computer per family plan in a nation invaded by constant blackouts. We don’t need a laptop computer that will be stolen by bandits. What we need is a clean police force and soldiers to protect our citizens everyday. We need a house to house campaign to clean up drug dealers and criminals. Citizens need licence firearms to protect themselves from bandits. We need to close down all these illegal and some legal rum shops that are a safe haven for criminal elements.
I remember not long ago we hosted a heads of state conference in Georgetown, on the news I heard police protection will be given to our foreign delegates? What kind of protection are we having in Guyana for our citizens? It seems to me that our leaders are just forcing people to vote for them but they cannot protect themselves and the citizens of this land, so how can they lead and govern this nation?
What we have is too much idlers, touts, street sellers and thieves in our communities. We have now become a ghetto society. People are no longer safe in their homes and businesses, that’s why they are leaving Guyana like sand flies daily. It’s about time our President get serious about this crime situation in Guyana and implement more serious laws. We should remove bail from thieves and criminals. In Suriname no bail is given to anyone for a crime.
From Demico House, Stabroek Market, coming back to Water Street, to ‘Tiger Bay’ back to Main Street, Robb and Regent Streets are loaded with thieves and robbers.
It’s about time our soldiers be placed to guard government buildings, banks and patrol the nation around the clock like Suriname. We must accept one fact that after 44 years of independence we have become a failed nation, failing to protect the rights and dignity of our citizens. What have we really achieved after 44 years of bad administration?
Citizens need better wages, protection and living condition. The slain businessman at Industry is another family with children who will wake up without a father. May God help our leaders to be more efficient leaders.
Rev. Gideon Cecil

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