Bordering on anarchy

Mar 18, 2015 Editorial

It can be argued that the execution-style killing of anti-government protestor/political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing will go down in our country’s annals as not only one of the most shocking occurrences, but also as a defining moment in the need for effective crime prevention. There is also the stark realization that, like no other period before, things are spiraling out of control.
One cannot escape the fact that Guyana’s murder rate has for some time been at an unacceptable level. Further, there is the perception that the Police Force has returned to its state of being completely overwhelmed and impotent, similar to the days of the notorious crime wave of 2002-2006, when every criminal-minded individual had his or her way.
The most disturbing aspect is that there now seems to be even more guesswork with respect to crime-solving. There also appears to be a distinct lack of purpose and willpower. Even when arrests are made, we no longer expect there to be any solid cases behind them.
This is more worrisome when one considers that there is so much more available in terms of surveillance footage and other technological advances.
There is the sense that we are currently running on automatic pilot and desperately hoping for the best. The police can do little or nothing to convince us, by any stretch of the imagination that they are in control. It’s a free-for-all.
A clear example of this was demonstrated late last month when gunmen chose broad daylight – in the middle of the day – to attack and kill their victim on a major thoroughfare (East Bank Demerara highway).
The criminals clearly have the upper hand and are remorselessly enjoying that ascendancy. At this point, we are not sure where to look for protection and, more importantly, direction. We are quite simply bordering on anarchy.
There has always been skepticism about the Minister of Home Affairs being able to function effectively while carrying out the demanding duties of General Secretary of the ruling political party. That justifiable cynicism has been amplified in recent times, and rightly so, but frustratingly, the responses to this observation will bear no relevance or resemblance to the reality. It is the perfect storm for disorder.
It’s as though the people’s lives are being taken for granted. But quite honestly, how can we demand better when there is obviously no better to be offered?
Our law enforcement has rapidly declined as a result of non-recognition of the gravity of the situation and, in many cases, lack of expertise. The conscientious among us are frustrated beyond measure. The calls for meaningful action are falling on deaf ears. There was always the belief that this was where we would have ended up, because of the defensive nature of those in authority. From the inception, there was the cry that the independent media only highlights the negative aspects of the country.
Well, even without the media contributing, the burgeoning dumpsite of pessimism and shame has now reached an all-time high. We reiterate that it is most unsettling to not have a calming influence in such a dispiriting crisis. There is no one who can face this nation at this time and be remotely viewed as competent enough to do so or, worse yet, believable.
And then of course the situation is exacerbated by disrespectful and aggressive police ranks whose mannerisms encourage less people to comply with the law. It is clear that bullying will not work in a 21st century environment. There is a natural rejection to belligerence.
Changing their technique may thus be as important as focusing on their substance. Making both more acceptable in the eyes of the public may, in some respects, be an effective strategy in the pursuit of crime prevention. But this, in all candour, may just be a pipe dream.
We certainly don’t profess to have the answers to the aforementioned dilemma in which we find ourselves; the problem is we’re not sure anyone does.

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Bordering on anarchy

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