Police in Berbice are hoping that witnesses would no longer have an excuse for not coming forward to identify perpetrators as modern identification (ID) parade rooms with “one-way mirrors” are being built at six stations.
Commander of ‘B’ Division, George Vyphuis told Stabroek News in an interview on Wednesday that the ID rooms are being installed at the New Amsterdam Central, Re-liance, Albion, Whim, Number 51 and Springlands police stations as part of the reform programme of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The commander said he was disappointed when after the police would have worked hard to arrest suspects, they did not receive the necessary cooperation from witnesses to bring them to justice.
Referring to a specific robbery that occurred recently in New Amsterdam, the commander said when witnesses refuse to cooperate it gives the police “the impression that they have something to hide; that they are condoning the crime.”
Vyphuis said that the police may have to start charging such persons. “It hurts because you hear complaints that police are not doing enough. But yet when perpetrators are caught we do not get the support,” to proceed with charges.
He said if it was the case that persons did not want to be face-to-face with the suspects the modern ID rooms would help in that regard. However, he said the suspects may still have to be faced in court.
He said too that “when they [witnesses] refuse to come forward it is giving the perpetrators another chance to go back and hurt them and their families. They would be safer when these persons are behind bars.”
Crime-fighting
Vyphuis said the police have also increased their crime-fighting efforts and introduced motorcycle patrols to deal with crime and traffic issues as well as foot patrols at the three major markets on weekends.
There have also been increased roadblocks throughout east and west Berbice. Though the commander said he recognized that persons would be inconvenienced, he said the exercise has to be carried out “to make the place safe.”
He added: “… we cannot allow crime to take over. No one wants crime. It is the perception of Berbicians that no crime should occur here at all, but we can’t find a policeman for every home or business. …our response mechanism is critical and we make sure we get there promptly when we get the report.”
He thanked the force’s administration and Commis-sioner of Police Henry Greene for their support and “for making sure that our division gets the resources. Whatever limited resources we get from them we are thankful because it helps.”
He said the police are doing all they can to “stamp out crime” and expressed gratitude to his senior officers for their support in going out to crime scenes “to guide the young policemen.”
The commander said they are also ensuring that the neighbourhood and community policing groups do their work “in their respective communities. Once those groups are effective it would help us; we depend on them…”
According to him, in their effort to prevent crime, they are closely monitoring “the deportees, persons released from prisons and those liming at the street corners.”
The police are also carrying out raids and Vyphuis said that four have been carried out in West Berbice this week but “nothing has been found.”
Outreach
The police have also started community outreach programmes – a decision that was taken at the last officers’ conference – where ranks from each station are meeting with residents and having discussions.
This, he said would help residents to understand the role of the police and how they [residents] can help to rid the community of criminal activities.
The commander and other senior officers have so far met residents of Hopetown, West Berbice and members of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce [UCCC] at Springlands, Corriverton.
At Hopetown, it was decided that there would be closer collaboration between the police and residents. Discussions were held on topics including the use of illegal drugs, domestic violence and noise nuisance.
The commander said there would be “zero tolerance” on those issues.
More youths have promised to get involved in groups.
Residents also raised concerns about the police stopping the Emancipation Day soiree at midnight and the commander promised to allow them to continue beyond that time.
He also said that the various committees should come together and organize one event and that they should include the police in the planning.
He said more outreach visits would be planned for other areas and there would be follow-up meetings.
During the meeting with the members of the UCCC, Vyphuis outlined plans to deal with the crime situation. He also urged the businesspersons to have proper security – physical and cameras – on their premises and to report all crimes in their communities including those that may be drug-related.
The top cop also promised to monitor the “frontier” (backtrack) crossing for illegal activities and said patrols have also been stepped up during the night and day.
Chamber members were “high in praise” for the police and pledged their support. They have also requested that the police be represented at the chamber meetings.
Piracy
The commander was also concerned about reports of hijacking in the Corentyne River and said the police are in full support of the Number 66 Fish Port Complex and the Anti-Piracy Committee.
However, he said the police did not have the capability to fight such crime and would pass on the information to the army. He also said that the police could not investigate hijackings that have been carried out in Suriname waters but would “go after suspects” living in Berbice.
He is calling on persons with information on piracy to come forward and cooperate with the police. He believes that the bandits have turned to the seas because of the heightened patrols on the road.
Meanwhile, he said the police are conducting patrols around the Berbice River and there are plans to go “deeper into the river.”
He noted that the force has a “manpower problem”, but pointed to ongoing recruitment and training at the Felix Austin Police College at Adventure, Corentyne.
Commander Vyphuis was transferred to ‘B’ Division on January 11 after serving at the Immigration and Passport Office as Deputy Chief Immigration Officer.
Observers have credited him with successfully spearheading the reform and modernization of the department especially passport issuing system.
