Cops to up patrols in crime-ridden West Bank Demerara communities

Mar 18, 2019 News

The crime rate in the West Demerara District (La Parfaite Harmonie/Dairy/Onderneeming) continues to escalate, much to the fear and discomfort of residents.
But police are taking the fight to the criminals through a number of proactive measures in the affected communities and other areas on the West Bank of Demerara.
To date, bicycle patrols have been implemented in a number of villages, especially in areas where criminal elements are more likely to attack.

Police patrols to be stepped up in the West Demerara District

Completion of a police station at La Parfaite Harmonie is said to be just a few months away.
While there has been a notable police presence in some areas in the form of vehicular patrols, villagers are of the opinion that such patrols need to be intensified at hours when gangs and their affiliates are more prone to attack.

TAXI DRIVERES FEARFUL
According to sources, such elements would normally strike after 23:00 hrs. Their targets are often unsuspecting taxi drivers who they hire to drop them at specific locations.
The ‘passengers’ sometimes have accomplices who are waiting at the drop-off point.
Just recently, taxi driver Dereck Mangal of Phoenix Taxi Service (Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara) had the most harrowing experience in his life when he attempted to drop a customer at ‘Last Bridge,’ Onderneeming.
Mangal said as he was returning from the area around 22:30 hrs when a group of youths suddenly ran onto the road and blocked his path with what appeared to be the remains of a coconut tree trunk.
He said he accelerated and managed to drive over the object, rupturing one of his tyres.
But then the men began to chase after the vehicle.
Mangal said he kept driving until he arrived on the New Road leading out of Parfaite Harmonie. He said it was then he was able to contact his taxi base for some assistance.
Many taxi drivers have declared that they are avoiding areas like ‘Last Bridge’, Onderneeming because of daring attacks such as this.
Some villagers are taking the precaution of closing their businesses and homes early in the evenings, while taxi drivers operating in the area are quite adamant about avoiding some locations, or not plying those routes at all after the evening hours.

BRAZEN GANGS
There are several reports, confirmed by police sources, about criminal gangs that operate brazenly in the open, surprisingly with no interference or intervention from onlookers, who would disappear from the scene out of fear for their own safety. One roadside vendor from La Parfaite Harmonie indicated that to “Open yuh mouth in dis place about anything yuh see in dis place is to sign yuh own death warrant.”
Some residents feel that the police need a more aggressive approach in these areas to put a halt to criminal activity. There were complaints that some of the ranks appear to be over friendly with individuals who are suspected affiliates of these criminals.
Others alleged that some bike patrol ranks are not vigilant enough, and can be seen more often ‘liming’ than patrolling.
Some residents of Onderneeming, and Dairy related cases where residents were forced to abandon houses after being robbed and terrorized. They would then rent out to tenants.
And it appears that the gangs operating in the area are spreading their wings to surrounding villages.
Several residents occupying rented apartments in Roraima Housing Scheme, Versailles, West Bank Demerara, have relocated because of repeated burglaries. Kaieteur News was told that bandits from the Dairy/Parfaite Harmonie area would use the dams aback rice fields close to these villages and make their way to the apartment building (which is mostly unoccupied during the day) and break in while the occupants are out.
A popular businessman once residing at Roraima Housing Scheme, just late last year was forced to immediately abandon his lavish property when in broad daylight gun toting bandits invaded his home, making off with millions in cash and articles.