With just days left before Guyana hosts Carifesta X, the security forces have given all assurances that they are ready to ensure a safe environment for the ten-day mega event which will see thousands converging on the capital.
Crime control is at the top of the agenda and come Friday there will be a heavy police presence on foot and in vehicles at the various host venues. Firefighters and members of the bomb squad with some assistance from Trinidad and Tobago will be ready in case of an emergency.
Yesterday members of the Carifesta Security Committee gave the media a detailed briefing of their security plan at Police HQ, Eve Leary.
Arrangements for border security, protection of those attending the various events and the smooth flow of traffic were all priority areas and assurances were given that there is adequate equipment and manpower to tackle these areas effectively.
Acting Commissioner of Police Henry Greene told the media that every station is equipped to respond to any threat in their district.
He pointed out that from last Friday, the patrols in Georgetown were increased and specific areas where they will work have already been identified. According to the Commissioner the Canine Unit is working in specific areas at night and the Mounted Branch is working around the market areas.
According to Greene, all ranks will be working during the Carifesta period and will be on the streets in “one way or the other” to ensure adequate security at the venues.
Visits will also be made to places of accommodation and nightspots in keeping with the security plan. There will be assistance from the various divisional commanders where some of the events are being held.
The bomb squad he assured will be operating at the airport and several venues with the assistance of the Guyana Defence Force.
All commanders are expected to provide adequate security in their various divisions and the top cop pointed out that the force is expecting the full support of the Community Policing Groups during this period.
Greene said that while there is excitement over Carifesta, he is giving the assurance that “the Police and the Joint Services stand ready to provide you the relevant protection.”
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said all security arrangements for ranks at the airport and host venues are in place. According to Persaud all ranks will be provided with communication equipment throughout the duration of the mega event and there are several arrangements in place to deal with security at the airport which is the main port of entry.
The VIP lounge, he added, will be used and manned as necessary and ranks will be placed at strategic points when necessary.
At Moleson Creek, another port of entry, Persaud said that arrangements will be made to provide escorts from there to Georgetown.
Delegates are being escorted from the airport to their places of accommodation and will be conducted to their various venues.
The crime chief pointed out that mobile, uniformed and CID patrols will be on duty.
Further he stated that at accommodation and event venues checks will be made for explosives. Screening, he said, will be done prior to the event.
He gave all assurances that bomb disposal capabilities will be in place in time for the event and Guyana will be getting assistance from Trinidad in this area.
Night Court
The Anti-kidnapping squad will be reactivated in time for Carifesta and will be housed at CID Headquarters.
As with the Cricket World Cup, a night court will be set up to deal with crimes committed against visitors to ensure that they are dealt with quickly.
According to Persaud, each division will have a team to deal with matters relating to visitors.
The arresting of wanted men, targeting of hot crime spots and patrolling of the border are all part of the crime control plan.
Meanwhile Commander of A Division, Welton Trotz said that the staging of Carifesta represents “a great task but we are prepared to deal with it.”
In keeping with the security plan, the Commander said that there will be road blocks and searches. Also arrangements are being made to have private security personnel working alongside ranks to provide extra security.
In addition, he said, they have approached private security companies to have their vehicles on patrol day and night.
Traffic plan
To deal with the congestion of traffic at various venues, the traffic department has put several measures in place.
According to Traffic Chief Neil Semple there will be ranks on the road giving directions and signals at the various venues.
Ranks, he said, will be on foot and vehicular patrols.
Semple added that special attention will be paid to the opening and closing ceremonies.
To ease traffic build up, cars will be parked in the open area between Buddy’s Hotel and the National Stadium and to get to it drivers will use the eastern lane. The other lane will be used by the VIPs and delegates.
Duncan Street will be turned into a one-way street during Carifesta and there will be no parking on the eastern highway.
Parking will be allowed in a section of the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia. At the National Park, several adjoining streets will be closed and the Rugby Field inside will be used as the parking lot. Several roads near the National Cultural Centre will also be closed to traffic and parking will be done on the centre’s tarmac.
The traffic at the other host venues will also be targeted.
Joint Services
The Joint Services will also be on board to deal with the protection of the State as it relates to the security of the prison, the backlands and other areas.
In giving an overview of the Joint Services contribution, Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best said that the mission of the Joint Services is to protect the State against any violent criminal or domestic terrorist activities. And this represents and reflects an integrated approach to security not only for Georgetown but also the entire State.
Commodore Best pointed out that this mission encompasses the Prison, Fire, Police and Guyana Defence Force.
He revealed that Operation Warden had been launched for Carifesta and as such Operation Restore Order had been subdued.
A special counter terrorism group will be prepared and is in training to deal with any aspect of domestic terrorism at any venue. This special group has been drawn particularly from the GDF.
He pointed out that the front lands and the backlands will be dominated to ensure that there is no harbouring of criminals in those areas and there will be focus on the lockdown procedure of the prison and the control of prisoners.
The Chief of Staff gave the assurance that the Joint Services will be ready to deal with any threat to the State by criminals in any form.
Meanwhile Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, who is the Chairman of the Board, said that the country is ready for the staging of the mega event and pointed out that at the end of it all “we will be left with a feeling of tremendous satisfaction.”
