I disagree with Kaieteur News’ editorial on the crime situation

Nov 07, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
In response to your editorial caption of November 5; “Are terrorists living in Guyana?” This question was asked after the incident on America Street on Tuesday the 3rd October 2015. You further suggest that the new political ruling class continues to respond to this crime crisis with an approach that reflects a “test match mentality rather than a T-20 one”. I disagree with the statement since the government was in power for a mere six months it is safe to say that the government have adopted a proactive approach to reduce the incidence of crime. This approach cannot be done in six months it has to be done over a period of time. In my letter to you dated 2nd November 2015 caption “A detailed blueprint for crime fighting” where I outlined the three crime prevention measures needed to fight crime. Furthermore, I stated that we need various governmental agencies and the private sector on board to assist this cannot be accomplice in six months. It will appear to you that it a test match scene but it’s not a understanding of crime and how it evolve have left many security experts revisiting certain crime prevention measures.
Mr. Ramjattan has been very proactive in crime prevention and has demonstrated to the nation that he will take on the criminals. In my opinion I will state that based on the result by the police to solved murder cases that were consider dead. In my opinion the job is getting done but not to your satisfaction.
Criminals will not dispose of their weapons at no cost; the gun is their weapon of choice because they believe that the gun will protect them while at the same time drive fear among their victims. Your fear for the remainder of the year that crime will increase is a legitimate concern however; I believe that the police and the Minister are working on crime prevention measures that will be rolled out very soon. The experts on crime have given the police a passing grade in solving crime. However, there are a small percentage of the population that will continue a life of crime; they are called career criminals.
I appreciate your concern over the incident that occurred on Tuesday. The bandits would have carried their criminal intentions no matter what security measures were in place. In fact there were security cameras in place, the area were populated with shoppers and persons on their way home from work. The bandit’s intentions were clear who ever got into their way during the robbery would have paid a heavy price. No police at the time could have stopped them, their intentions were clear. We could consider ourselves very lucky that they were not engage in a fire fight with the police because there would be collateral damage. How could we institute crime prevention measures for such persons?
Who do we blame for the lack of action today on measures to attack the crime wave? Certainly the blame will be on Mr. Ramjattan since he is responsible for public safety. However, in my opinion it’s not fair to him since in six months he have instituted primary crime prevention measures which are working. I agree with you that a national approach is need in reducing crime. I have mention that in detail in my letter to you on the 2nd November 2015. I am not in support of your view that the army should train police officer to carry out their function. My reasons are as follows
1.   Police have a broad discretion
2.   Soldiers more authoritative
3.   Soldiers shoot and ask question after
4.   Police responsible for the protection of life and property
5.   Army training police recruits would have police recruits train as a solider not a police
I believe that the police in Guyana are capable in dealing with rise in crime so long they are given the tools to do the job. They are on the ground they are aware of the social and economic condition and are better suited in fighting the crime wave.
Morris Springer

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