Latest update January 5th, 2025 12:59 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Teen crimes and guns

Mar 22, 2024 Editorial

Kaieteur News – There has been a surge in crimes involving teenagers and guns recently. Citizens killed, robbed- 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 young woman gunned down by her sister’s ex-lover, a Chinese national killed in his shop at Eteringbang, a mother and her son chopped and stabbed to death at Saxacalli and many others. Death can come from out of nowhere, 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.

Amid the madness we frequently hear from high levels, announcements from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) 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 on the night of March 21, 2021. 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.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

GBBFF boss reflects on milestones and leadership transition

GBBFF boss reflects on milestones and leadership transition

Jan 04, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- Guyana’s bodybuilding scene has reached unprecedented heights, with outgoing President of the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF), Keavon Bess, hailing 2024 as...
Read More
National stars shine in GCF End of Year Chess Tournament

National stars shine in GCF End of Year Chess...

Jan 04, 2025

Two more young cricketers benefit from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”.

Two more young cricketers benefit from Project...

Jan 04, 2025

Tonight: Sparta Boss goes up against Bent Street ‘A’ for K&S National Futsal title

Tonight: Sparta Boss goes up against Bent Street...

Jan 03, 2025

Botafgo pummel Milerock, 11-7, to become new UDFA Christmas Futsal Champions 

Botafgo pummel Milerock, 11-7, to become new UDFA...

Jan 03, 2025

BCB player transfer window opens for 2025 

BCB player transfer window opens for 2025 

Jan 03, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]