It’s all about our safety

Jun 19, 2015 Editorial

Crime, especially murder and armed robbery, is on the rise. Something has gone terribly wrong.
Up to mid-June, the country has recorded 76 murders. The statistics indicate increases in the number of murders involving firearms and cases in which instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators. If the trend continues, this year’s murder rate seems destined to surpass those of 2013 and 2014, and would rival some of the years of the infamous crime wave which occurred between 2002 and 2007.
Far too often society is being shocked and outraged by the acts and the circumstances surrounding such wicked and senseless deeds. Moreover, the families of the victims are devastated by their loss and they rely on the criminal justice system to operate in a timely, efficient and effective manner. But that is not always the case in Guyana where more than one third of the murders remained unsolved.
The reshuffling of senior members of the Police Force and the pronouncement by the Minister of Public Security to weed out rogue and abusive cops from the police force is a proactive move, but that will not be enough in the circumstances. A robust plan is needed to reduce crime and ease the fears of the citizens. The perpetrators always seem to be one step ahead of the police.
While many will concede that it may be too early for the new government to have its promised significant impact on the crime ‘situation, a culture of death is fast pervading the country and must be stopped as soon as possible, if we are ever again to experience a culture of healthy living and deserved happiness.
Since everyone should be concerned with the obvious moral degeneration, there is a critical need for the public at large to rediscover good values, otherwise decency will continue decline into an abyss of persistent immorality and despair.
Rampant crime has been overwhelming the nation for too long. It has been recognised that youths have essentially been left to their own devices, and have not inculcated the teachings and practices of their elders, which has resulted in the breakdown of ethical values in the home, schools, workplaces, and by extension the entire country.
In general, everyone needs to control their tempers and refrain from being aggressive and abusive, because it is a fact that many of the acts of physical violence and murders have been accompanied and preceded by verbal abuse. The rejection of the aforementioned values and practices has ultimately brought the country to the precipice.
The new government must take charge of the country in order to bring about the required change. There must be a reduction of the murders; a new and definitive vision for Guyana to move forward has to be clearly defined.
But before this is achieved, the tough questions will be asked by the populace, and they will understandably expect appropriate answers.
Is there a comprehensive plan or strategy to reduce crime, especially armed robberies and murders? This is most urgent, because without adequate preparation to combat this scourge, the country will suffer and the people will lose hope. It makes sense for the new government to make crime fighting/reduction its highest priority in order not to further jeopardize the safety of the people. This is imperative with regard to gaining their confidence and trust.
People’s confidence in the administration is invaluable and if this is lacking there will be a rapid loss of credibility. Individual safety, public safety, and safety of communities are important and should be the primary focus of the new Government. The main concern will be whether the leaders can be depended on to protect us against the clearly brazen and unrelenting criminals in our midst.
Time, as they say, will tell.

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