Funds used for donated boat could have been better spent on SUVs

Dec 01, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

It was reported in the news on Nov. 29 that the Ministry of Home Affairs has donated an aluminum boat with a 40 HP outboard engine to the Community Policing Division 3 for Wakenaam and Leguan Islands in the Essequibo River. In handing over the boat, Minister Benn expressed the view that “it is a signaled effort that crime fighting at the community level will be successful since the boat will reinvigorate community safety and security through enhanced performance and professionalism”. Further, the Chairman, Community Policing Division 3 expressed gratitude for the boat since as he stated its absence had hindered the islands’ crime fighting ability on the waterways.

No information was given as to how this will be achieved particularly so with a boat which is ill-equipped and grossly under powered for crime fighting in the channels of the Essequibo River.
In reality this boat will make little or no difference towards crime fighting on the islands for several reasons. Firstly, difficulties will be encountered getting the boat from its stored location to the river quickly since the boat is not supplied with a trailer and there are no ramps on the islands or secured mooring facilities for quick mobilization. Secondly, the waterways where the boat will operate are dangerous and it will take a ‘lifetime’ for this under-powered boat to reach hotspots where crimes are likely to occur. Thirdly, the islands have limited medical facilities and seriously ill patients often require emergency transportation to the Suddie and/or Vreed-en-Hoop Hospital. This boat is not equipped for such task.

The resources allocated to this boat for crime fighting on the waterways around Wakenaam and Leguan could have been better spent and more effective by equipping the Police Stations with SUVs and a network of wireless equipment linking the police station with the policing communities located at strategic locations on the islands for quick and effective communication and appropriate action. The crimes committed on the islands are all land based and therefore efforts to combat them should be directed at the areas where they are committed and not on monitoring the waterways hunting for elusive criminals.

Yours truly,
Charles Sohan

Latest News

Funds used for donated boat could have been better spent on SUVs

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act...

Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd...

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil,...

Three more matches billed for this weekend

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess...

Features/Columnists

“One Guyana” is no less a national slogan than “Green Guyana”

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

Partner v. investor

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Funds used for donated boat could have been better spent on SUVs

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]