The security of citizens has been placed high on the agenda of the Guyana Police Force as it officially launched its 2007 Christmas policing plan which will cover from November 16 to January 16, 2008.
The plan was officially unveiled yesterday by Commander of ‘A’ Division Paul Slowe and Acting Commissioner of Police Henry Greene.
The Christmas policing plan which has become a tradition for the Guyana Police Force over recent years has once again sought to have the private sector, the Chamber of Commerce, the media and Community Policing Groups involved.
The plan was formulated after all the Divisional Heads met to discuss a plan which will not only cover the Georgetown area. According to Commander Slowe the plan is aimed at reducing and controlling crime, building confidence, reducing traffic accidents and traffic congestion during the Christmas season.
As is customary the plan will entail patrols, the setting up of booths, raids, roadblocks, river patrols and one new additional feature, the mobile outpost which was recently presented to the Guyana Police Force by the bauxite company BOSAI. Areas of particular interest outlined in the plan include main municipal markets, Agricola/Eccles, Kaneville/Grove, Albouystown, South, North, East and West Ruimveldt.
Moreover, to make shoppers more comfortable booths will be set up in areas that over the years have been vulnerable to crime.
According to Slowe booths will be set up at points including Croal Street, Main and Quamina streets, Water and Holmes streets, Robb and Cummings, Regent and Wellington, Broad and Lombard, Saffon and James and Waterloo streets.
The booth will be opened with at least two ranks on duty from 7 am to 7 pm except for the two booths which will be located at Croal Street, and Main and Quamina streets which will be opened on a 24-hour basis.
Slowe said that careful consideration was given to the issue of the human resources needed to efficiently execute the plan. In that light he said that they have drawn human resources from community policing groups and the city constabulary.
In addition Slowe said that recruits who are soon to graduate from the Felix Austin Training School will also be pulled into executing the plan.
Meanwhile other parts of the plan include special arrangements for additional security for the annual Main Big Lime which has become a Christmas season tradition for Guyanese.
Slowe said the force has not yet been informed of the date for the event but they are ready to sit with the organizers and discuss security arrangements. Special arrangements will also be made by the force for traditional late night Christmas Eve shopping as well as Old Year’s night celebrations.
Traffic Christmas plan
The force will also be continuing its recently launched operation to deal with the road carnage. Areas that will be targeted in the traffic aspect of the plan will include speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, double parking and other illegal parking and traffic congestion which is a norm during the Christmas season. Steps include increased foot patrols, motorcycle and car patrols and the use of the tow truck when necessary.
Meanwhile the Guyana Police Force is urging members of the public to cooperate with members of the force to make the plan effective.
