Murder rate climbs to 74

Jun 13, 2015 News

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– homicides up by 12 percent at end of May
At least 74 people, including 16 women, were murdered between January and June 11, 2015 and statistics

released by the police show a 12 percent rise in homicides, and a 10 percent rise in serious crimes within the past five months.
The Force’s Public Relations Department yesterday stated that 66 murders were recorded at the end of May 2015, in comparison to 59 murders at the end of May 2014.
Up to June 11, 2015, eight more murders have been recorded, compared to six for the same period in June 2014.
Statistics compiled by Kaieteur News and published last Monday, indicated that there were 71 murders between January and June 6, 2015. This newspaper has recorded three more murders up to June 11. Between Sunday, May 31 and June 4, Kaieteur News recorded seven murders in five days.
According to this newspaper’s statistics, guns were used in at least 25 of the homicides that have occurred this year. At least eleven of these were execution-style killings.
Disputes and ‘crimes of passion’ accounted for most of the deaths. At least 25 people were killed during disputes and nine by jealous partners.
Sixteen women were slain between January and June 6, including four young females aged 19, 18, 17 and 14, and three elderly women aged 73, 67 and 68. Seven were killed during confrontations with male associates; three (including two of the senior citizens), were slain during home invasions, two were found

strangled in remote areas; one was the victim of an execution-style murder, one died from burns after her home was set alight, one was allegedly stabbed to death by a female friend, and one of the elderly women is believed to have been slain by persons who tried to make it appear as if she was a rape/robbery victim.
The Police Public Relations Department also reported a ten percent increase in serious crimes up to the end of May, in comparison to the same period in 2014. But the release also stated that armed robberies had decreased by eight percent in comparison to the same period last year.
The statistics also indicate a decrease of nine percent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a six percent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
Up to the end of May this year, police recovered 50 illegal firearms, including 31 pistols, 10 revolvers, three shotguns, five rifles and a pen-gun.
Among the serious crimes listed are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.
Meanwhile, police reported that there has been no arrest in the murder of Alicia McPherson, 17, who was stabbed at ‘B’ Field, Sophia, on April 19, 2015. A wanted bulletin has been issued for the prime suspect in this matter.
Investigations are continuing into the murder of Shawn Anys of Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, who was

shot during an armed robbery at his home on May 01, 2015.
Investigations are also continuing into the murder of Sherwin Barrow, 19, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who was shot during an argument with two men at Warlock, East Ruimveldt, on May 06, 2015. A man was arrested and later released.
Still under investigation is the murder of Indian National Amendria Singh, which occurred at his home at D’Aguiar Park, East Bank Demerara, on May 26, 2015. The suspect in this matter is hospitalized and under police guard.
Investigations are continuing into the murder of Ramesh Puran who was shot during an armed robbery at his home at Belvedere, Corentyne, on May 14, 2015. A total of six men had been arrested and questioned during the investigations, but were later released.
“Investigations are continuing into the death of Chandroutie Persaud of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, who was found in her home on May 23, 2015, with her mouth gagged and hands tied. Five men were arrested and released.”
In relation to traffic, the release stated that there were 45 road fatalities from 36 accidents at the end of May 2015, in comparison to 44 fatalities from 41 accidents for the same period in 2014.
There have been decreases in all other categories of road accidents – serious, minor and damage.
Of those killed on the roadways, 16 were pedestrians, four were pedal cyclists. Thirteen passengers,

four motor cyclists and eight drivers also lost their lives.
Sixteen of the 36 fatal accidents were as a result of speeding.
Traffic ranks made 21,170 cases against errant motorists at the end of May 2015. Of this number, 8,214cases were for speeding, 607 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 276 for using cell phones while driving and 602 for failing to wear seat belts.
To date, there has been one road fatality for June 2015, compared to 7 for the same period last year.
The Public relations Department stated that the Force is in the process of re-intensifying efforts at crime prevention through its police-community partnership programme, along with social crime prevention interventions in the Policing Divisions with special emphasis on empowering youths.
There was a lull in activities in this regard during May 2015 owing to security preparations for the General Elections.
However, members of Youth Clubs in “E” Division (Linden) benefitted from Information Technology Classes and First Aid Training during the month. Also, officers and other ranks of “B” Division (Berbice) assisted in the cleaning up of New Amsterdam and were also involved in the enhancing of the environment at the St. Theresa’s Primary School.
During May month there were three interventions supported by the religious community in the Cops and Faith Community Network, which treats juvenile first offenders for minor crimes as a preemptive intervention to the New Opportunity Corps.
“Since the launch of the Cops and Faith Community Network and unto May 31, 2015, there have been 156 such interventions. In all cases the youths were counseled by the religious leaders and following the involvement of parents/guardians, and the victims where necessary, the majority of them were warned and sent away.”
In relation to the Family Liaison for victims of serious crimes and domestic violence project, which is also under the Cops and Faith Community Network, there were three interventions by members of the religious community in response to two cases of domestic violence and an attempted suicide where the affected persons were counseled.

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