Latest update March 28th, 2025 6:05 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Fight against violent crime lacks leadership – APNU

Aug 20, 2013 News

With reports of violent crime almost reaching epidemic proportions, the main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is of the opinion that enough is not being done  to comprehensively fight the scourge that is plaguing Guyana today.
The party in a press statement yesterday said that it has noted with grave concern the increased attacks by bandits on business owners, especially those who conduct their operations in rural communities.
“The Partnership calls on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs to act now to restore confidence in the business community and the general public. Business owners, potential entrepreneurs and all citizens need to feel a sense of safety and security, something that is sadly lacking in Guyana today,” APNU said.
These assertions come several weeks after the Ministry of Home Affairs had also noted the recent spike in armed robberies and had expressed its deep concern over the development.
Referring to crime figures released by the police up to the end of June this year, which indicate that 472 cases of violent crimes were reported, APNU said that it shows that much more needs to be done to address what has clearly become a national epidemic of violence.
The party emphasised that it had recently called for the establishment an Interpersonal Violence Unit.
“The Partnership takes this opportunity to renew this call for such a unit and to reiterate our lack of confidence in the leadership of Mr. Clement James Rohee as Minister responsible for public safety.”
But the Ministry of Home Affairs had thrown the blame for the seemingly out of control crime situation at the feet of the Guyana Police Force administration.
In its defence a few weeks ago, the Ministry had informed that at 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, it was stressed that the Police will win or lose the battle against crime in “A” Division particularly. Georgetown is part of “A” Division.
According to the Ministry, 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.
“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 informed that the Commissioner of Police (ag) has been requested to adopt the appropriate operational posture to conform with the conclusions of the presentation with which all had agreed.
Further, the ministry said, the Commissioner of Police (ag) with the support of the Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement, 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.
In light of this, the police had launched several raids in the city and its environs, rounding up several criminal suspects in the process.
However, this appears to have done very little to dent the minds of criminals who continue to conduct their business as usual.
Meanwhile, APNU has noted that evidence has shown that Community Policing Groups as presently configured and tasked countrywide, cannot, and will not, solve the crime problem.
The party said that members of the Guyana Police Force at all levels must be given the leadership, equipment and relevant training, so that they can meet their mandate of service and protection.
“APNU calls on all responsible parties to act now to secure a reversal of this trend of armed robberies and violence against persons. The Partnership further calls on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government to give the security sector the leadership it needs to ensure that all Guyanese can be safe, secure and can attain the good life to which they are entitled.”

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Mice and Jermaine $1.7M Linden Futsal tournament starts tonight with three matches at Retrieve Hard Court

Mice and Jermaine $1.7M Linden Futsal tournament starts tonight with...

Mar 28, 2025

-Milerock face Bamia, Hi Stars battle Botafago, Ward Panthers match skills with Silver Shattas Kaieteur News- With a total $1.4M in cash at stake, thirteen clubs are listed to start their campaign as...
Read More
Slingerz FC hunt second win tonight

Slingerz FC hunt second win tonight

Mar 28, 2025

More sponsors on board ahead of Second Annual GGA/NSC National Long Drive Championship set for Saturday

More sponsors on board ahead of Second Annual...

Mar 28, 2025

LGC to host STP Investments Inc. Golf Tourney this Sunday 

LGC to host STP Investments Inc. Golf Tourney...

Mar 28, 2025

𝐓𝐒𝐔, Region 2 book semi-final spots as teams look towards the finale

𝐓𝐒𝐔, Region 2 book semi-final spots as...

Mar 27, 2025

World Athletics recognize AAG Elections

World Athletics recognize AAG Elections

Mar 27, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]