Latest update April 11th, 2025 9:20 AM
Serious crimes in ‘D’ Division reduced by 76 percent – Amsterdam
Commander of ‘D’ Division, Senior Superintendent Ian Amsterdam, has confirmed
‘D’ Division Commander Ian Amsterdam (centre) with his ranks
that there has been a 76 percent reduction in serious crimes in the division since the introduction of project C-Pets (Creating Positive Environment Through Safer Communities) more than three months ago.
The senior officer made this statement during an interview with this newspaper recently at his office.
C-Pets, the brainchild of Commander Amsterdam, is part of a strategic plan for his division to get communities, faith-based organizations, police and residents to build a closer relationship with each other. It also aims at the reduction of drugs and alcohol abuse among citizens, and promotes sports, culture, and entertainment.
“As a result of C-Pets and our intervention in the various communities, we have seen a reduction in crime in the entire division, which is really the objective of all these community projects,” the Commander related.
According to Amsterdam, the objective of the programme is to ensure the burden of policing is shared between the communities and the police. He added that there has been an overall reduction of serious crimes in the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara.
For the month of August, Amsterdam said that seven serious crimes were recorded in the entire division while no serious crime has been reported in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, from July to September. In La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, no serious crime was recorded from July to September 21, last.
Asked about the feedback from the public, Amsterdam said that he has been overwhelmed with the support his team has been receiving.
According to Amsterdam, in August, police carried out a three-day exercise in different sections of ‘D’ Division where drivers were stopped and had their vehicles searched. Persons were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, overloading and speeding.
He added that his team will continue to implement different measures to ensure that the level of crime continues to reduce.
Almost two months ago, the Commander re-commissioned a police patrol base in Tuschen Housing Scheme. This newspaper was told that police ranks along with members of the Community Policing Group will be present at the facility on a 24-hour basis to serve residents of the community.
The outpost was commissioned several years ago by then Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira, but was later abandoned. After the implementation of project C-Pets, a decision was made to have it “up and running” again.
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