Latest update April 9th, 2025 12:59 AM
MURDERING WOMEN
One of the most discussed topics in the country, and rightly so, is crime. It has impacted the lives of many citizens, not just the victims or relatives of the victims, but others who are trying to avoid becoming victims.
Many are genuinely appalled and concerned at the alarming murder statistics especially women who have perished because of domestic violence. But the alarm of violence against women has less to do with statistics and more to do with the ethos to protect the weaker sex.
Crime also has an extreme economic effect. There is the cost of maintaining modern equipment to combat it, and the equally costly agencies that serve to police the activities of the law enforcers. There is also the opportunity cost which occurs as a result of the high rate of crime which to a certain extent has impacted tourism and investment.
It is about time the government, the police and the public face the murders, serious crimes and general lawlessness are concerned in this nation. We believe that the country has too many hardened criminals. We are still breeding too many children, especially males who, because of an absence of proper role models, have a tendency toward becoming hardened criminals as they grow older.
At one time, Guyana was a relatively peaceful country, but the influx of gangs and hardcore criminals had gained momentum. It wreaked havoc on the citizens.The unprecedented levels of violence have led to the introduction of several laws, which have empowered law enforcement to levels never seen before.
These laws have created a culture of policing that depended heavily on the suppression of criminal elements. Even though some have accused the police of violating the human rights of the criminals, the actions the ranks exhibit have significantly reduced murders and serious crimes across the country.
But the fallout is always there in the forefront of people’s minds. Guyana is still reeling from the crime wave that broke out at the turn of the century. That was when the criminals turned the table on the law enforcers. It took six years and the involvement of the Guyana Defence Force to bring an end to it.
The wheel is turning again. The people credited with protecting the society are being identified as criminals. They are the new gunmen and the home invaders.
As a result, many are calling for the purging of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) because corruption and misconduct by ranks who took an oath to serve and protect the people are sullying the reputation of the force.
Indeed, the GPF needs to suppress itself. Based on the report by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the alleged assassination of PresidentGranger, the purging of the force has begun. It took the form of sending the Commissioner of Police on leave and transferring some senior ranks.
The murders of so many young men are one thing: but the killing of innocent young women is quite another. The country was shaken to its core by the recent murders of 22 year old school teacher and mother, Kescia Blanche, of Georgetown; 36-year-old Indrawattie Totaram of Williamsburg, Corentyne; 22-year-old Marissa Fraser of No. 5 Village, West Coast Berbice; and 18 year old Ranella Benfield of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
There can be little real improvement in the crime situation without real cooperation between the communities and the police. That is our lot. As we approach the Christmas season, it is the responsibility of everyone to be careful because crime tends to peak at this time..
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