We need to educate our people in keeping with the criminal evolution

Jan 23, 2012 Letters

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Dear Editor,
My response to two acquaintances who questioned my motivation for speaking on issues of policing and public safety is that I still have the best interest of the Guyana Police Force at heart; that I probably did not do enough to effect positive change during my time as a serving member in the Police Force; that it is my belief that this country still has a far way to go when it comes to addressing crimes especially those crimes against our women folk.
To read that we seem to be no closer to solving five murders committed against elderly women [SN 17/01/2012] is certainly cause for much concern.
I will not attempt to second guess the police in their investigations of those five murders except to surmise that they would have examined whatever commonalities in the five apparently unrelated incidents to determine whether or not we may be dealing with a serial offender.
I recall a colleague expressing the view that my public advisories pertaining to personal security and public safety would alert the criminal minded and make them modify their modus operandi.
My thinking is that, it is in the public interest to inform citizens of dangers and preventive measures associated with crime.
Therefore – in my humble view, any Police Force worthy of its name, has a legal and moral obligation to advise in this regard.  Furthermore, it would be the height of foolishness to believe that all criminals are stupid or are without resourcefulness. This leaves me to wonder what redress do members of the public have as it relates to dereliction of duty – since that is what it amounts to when public officials or institutions fail to carry out their public duty.
“Resource constraints” is not an acceptable argument because just as in the case of timely advisories on accident prevention and road safety, the same can be done in the area of crime prevention.
My previous reference to serial offenders was deliberate since it seems nobody wants to think or even speak about it, but we have to accept that there are probably serial killers and serial rapists walking and living among us.
Eggers (1990) posits that among the reasons law enforcement investigators fail to recognise the serial nature of rape is as a result of what is described as linkage blindness.  I think that it is way past time to use psychological profilers to assist law enforcement investigations of violent crime.
Chief among the benefits of profiling would be a narrower search for offenders; a lower number of victims; and assistance to the interrogators since they would be better equipped to ask the right questions and apply the appropriate interrogation techniques.
Editor, I return to the question of public advisories.  I feel strongly that the more we educate our people, the likelihood of becoming a victim of preventable crime is reduced immensely. I am also aware that political-economic considerations sometimes determine the prudence of admitting or denying the existence of certain societal anomalies.
The instances of rape and rape allegations seem to be increasing and should be cause for concern, especially if we believe expert criminal profiler, John Douglas (1986), who, writing on criminal profiling from crime scene analysis, places serial rapists in the same category to other serial violent offenders, such as serial arsonists and serial killers, since according to award winning author and criminologist Jennifer Chase rapists are generally repeat offenders and will continue to rape until law enforcement intervenes to stop the cycle of violence..
However, allow me to paraphrase a few tips on “How to Avoid Being a Victim of a Serial Killer, Rapist, and Kidnapper” from martial artist and self-defense proponent, Randy Stroud, who says: “Never agree to follow someone to a secluded place or get in the car with someone regardless of their excuse.
If you do choose to help someone who asks for assistance, make sure there are a lot of witnesses around, the area is open and well lit, and if possible ask a friend to accompany you.  Bear in mind that you always have the right to refuse someone’s request. Be skeptical of obsessive chatter; if someone asks for directions, and receives direction from you, he has no right to ask you personal questions about your life, family or any other additional requests. Do not be routine; a sex offender may be looking out of his window everyday at a certain time checking you out, learning your route, and eventually may become obsessed with you.  Criminals like people who walk with no confidence, are very predictable, and are unaware of their surroundings.”
I might get some flak for this one but Stroud advocates carrying a weapon of some sort like pepper spray, mace, a self-defense key chain, stick or simple ink pen.  There are some laser pens which can cause temporary blindness in an assailant.
Try to let people know where and when you are going and about how long you expect to be there.  In kidnap cases, the first 24 hours are crucial, since each day afterward significantly lowers the chance of the missing person being found alive.
Scan the area ahead. If you are walking down a street and see a single person or large group of teenagers/men who seem questionable, take an alternate route; if you do not have time to take another street, simply move to the opposite side of the street, walk tall/confident, look straight ahead and avoid eye contact.  Keep your awareness high and ignore any rude remarks they throw your way.
Always carry a cell phone with important numbers like the police on speed dial; it might be even used as a makeshift weapon.  However, although Stroud advises that you should avoid talking on the phone if you are walking alone because of a lower situational awareness, it might work in your favour since the person on the other end will be the first to know if you have a problem, and would be in a position to contact the police or nearest help.
Editor, we need to educate and train our people in more realistic ways in keeping with the criminal evolution.
Patrick E. Mentore

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