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Gun and crimes

Aug 17, 2023 Editorial

Kaieteur News – There has been a surge in crimes involving guns recently.  Citizens killed, some deliberately targeted, others randomly shot, as gunfire and the mayhem that it produces touched the lives and communities of Guyanese from different walks of life.  A very senior education official, who was sharing a relaxing moment with friends in a public place met his death by gunfire, a stray bullet ending his life.  Death can come from out of nowhere as that, with the innocent and uninvolved seriously injured or killed by this fearful presence of guns, and without anyone having an accurate picture of the extent of the danger.

From high levels, announcements from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are that ‘serious crime’ is down.  Guyanese would be interested to find out what the GPF categorizes as ‘serious’, and how it arrived at that conclusion.  More interesting could be what the GPF saw fit to leave out of its so-called ‘serious’ categorization, and what benign home was found to park such.  It could be also that the GPF has its own unique ideas of what constitutes a ‘crime’ these days, which could be another mystery.  One aspect of the work and new culture of the GPF that should not be ruled out is the possible massaging of numbers and definitions to suit its objectives.

Whether serious crime is on the way down, or standing still, or travelling in another direction, Guyanese are dying, or getting injured, by gunfire, and through the seemingly unstoppable proliferation of all kinds of firearms locally. Ask any Guyanese the proper questions about crime and guns, and most are likely to give responses that speak to dread and an abiding fear.  Check on the state of any community, and residents are frank in the precautions they have to take, how they are concerned about the presence of so many guns, and the apparent inability of the GPF to make a difference in the frightening presence of so many weapons, many illegal. Even within gated communities, and the presence of armed sentries manning entrances and exits, there is a healthy worry about crime and guns.

It is this endless tide of guns that is present in local society, and that are clearly on the streets and primed for action in the commission of crimes, and the settlement of disputes.  Though it is a hit and miss operation, the GPF could consider doing more sweep and interception operations.  The key is the element of surprise, and once that holds, there is a solid probability that a gun or two could be netted, on each such occasion.  Once properly thought out, and well implemented, there could be results, no matter how miniscule.  It stands to reason that because guns are so prevalent on the streets and in the many communities of Guyana, there is the strong likelihood of guns being found on persons, or in vehicles, and charges being laid.  At the least, such exercises by the GPF would serve as a deterrent from the almost routine presence of firearms on the ground in Guyana.  The effects are many, and range from the psychological to the physical, among others.

While the GPF busies itself with polishing soothing statistics about inroads made against crime, and in the categories that count with citizens, we would recommend that there is greater attention to housekeeping, and managing its people better.  Too often, its ranks are seen openly consorting with those whom the GPF itself would call ‘shady characters’ or those that citizens have suspicions about.  The PPPC Government itself is more focused on money matters, and scrambling to lockdown deals that are abundant with possibilities for ministers and others in the party’s cabal of cronies and comrades.  The kind of keen attention that should be brought to bear with laser like focus is just not noticed.

The most jarring example, perhaps, of the PPPC Government’s nonchalance with crime involves a brazen murder that occurred near to the President’s official residence.  If gunfire can erupt there with murderous effect, then all Guyanese are exposed.  With the GPF wishing to be seen as stumped, Guyanese take stock and shrink from where they find themselves in this world and culture of guns.

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