Crime fight should focus on city hot spots

Jul 19, 2013 News

– Home Affairs Ministry

If the Guyana Police Force is to win the battle on crime they will have to focus more on the city and its many hot spots.
This observation was made during a recent presentation to a joint Meeting with Senior Management of the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Policy analysts at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force, as well as the Crime and Social Observatory.

The police are being urged to deploy resources to areas fraught with potential criminal threats.

The presentation, which was evidence-based, pointed to certain “hot spots” in the city as well as other areas where crime can be anticipated and where, from an operational perspective, the Police should deploy its ranks and moveable assets to effectively deal with those specific areas fraught with potential criminal threats.
This disclosure comes at a time when the Police Force is adjusting its strategies in a valiant attempt to curb the rising crime situation.
So far this year there has been a total of 14 persons who were killed during armed robberies, while within the past two weeks alone, the force has recorded six murders, five of which occurred during robberies.
The recent spike in criminal activities has not been lost on the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In a statement issued last Wednesday, the Ministry said that it is deeply concerned over this development.
According to the Ministry, during the recent joint meeting it was emphasized that the Police will win or lose the battle against crime in “A” Division particularly. Georgetown is part of “A” Division.
“At the end of the presentation, there could not have been a clearer message to the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force, particularly to the Commissioner of Police (ag), Deputy Commissioner, Law Enforcement, Assistant Commissioner Operations and the Commanders of all “A” Divisions.”
The Ministry said that the Commissioner of Police (ag), Leroy Brumell, has been requested to adopt the appropriate operational posture to conform with the conclusions of the presentation with which all had agreed.
Further, the Commissioner of Police (ag) with the support of the Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement (DCLE), Assistant Commissioner Operations and particularly Commander “A” Division has been advised to inform the general public about actions contemplated by Police to bring the situation once again under control.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Brumell sought to explain the force’s response to the country’s crime scenario.
The Commissioner assured that the Force has in place various strategies in the fight against crime and has been grappling with the situation to ensure the maintenance of public safety and security in keeping with its mandate.
“I met this morning (Wednesday) with the DCLE (Crime Chief) and Divisional Commanders and we have revisited and made adjustments to our strategies to effectively police the divisions,” Brumell told the media.
He, however, noted that while the Force shares the concern being expressed, particularly by the business community, the overall crime situation is not at a level as the perception being outlined in sections of the media.
“For the year so far we have recovered 49 firearms that comprise 19 revolvers, 18 shotguns, 10 pistols, one sub-machine gun, and one rifle.”