Crime is eating away the fabric of our society

Aug 26, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Like white collar crime, blue collar crime is eating away the fabric of our society. Apart from the theft of properties and monies, armed robbery has reaped untold deaths and injuries. Too many families and individuals are victims of this dastardly act which is perpetuated daily by young unemployed urban and sub-urban youths.
For too long this phenomenon has been allowed to dominate the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. The lower class like the middle class is negatively affected by criminal activities. A review of the crime statistics over the past eight months clearly shows that the lower class and middle class are most affected by criminal activities. Though the lower class is least prosperous, they are more likely to be victims of robbery and violence since they have limited protection, living in disadvantageous communities and are seemingly not valued by policy makers.
The statistics show an exponential increase in criminal activities over the past ten years; especially, in the areas of armed robbery and homicides. Armed robbery is prevalent in the urban centres, sub-urban areas and hinterland regions, more especially in the gold mining areas. For a small population, Guyana’s homicide rate is 18.4 per 100,000; the fourth highest in South America, and this is disturbing. Over the past three months a significant amount of homicides and gunshot wounds occurred during robberies or attempted robberies.
There is no doubt that the spate of gun crime is indicative of ineffective law enforcement and human development initiatives. It is a clear indication of policy makers’ inability to comprehend the phenomenon. A thorough understanding of the issue will no doubt result in the development and implementation of relevant initiatives to stem the waning security environment.
As it relates to youth and gun crime the sole panacea cannot be guns and bullets complemented by judicial actions. There ought to be research aimed at identifying the risk factors for criminal involvement. The research should establish the correlation between the family environment, education, economics, drugs and alcohol, and criminal activities, especially armed robberies. Having established reason for the proliferation of criminal activities it is only then our policy makers would be able to develop and implement effective crime control measures.
Lelon Saul

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