-Abduction, Detection, Prosecution
Believe me friends, there is no joy, no “satisfaction” having to broach such issues as indicated in my caption – crime, abduction et al.
Try sometimes to appreciate that our Big Beautiful Blighted Guyana still has abundant natural resources attracting millions in value and that we are a less-than-one-million society. Unlike the much larger populations of say, Trinidad, Jamaica or Haiti, all seemingly disaster-prone to crime and nature.
So why daily escalating criminal enterprise here? Why? Okay I know the answers, the causes are numerous, sometimes complex. Some advance poverty, lack of employment and hope and , of course, the absence of desireable moral standards, past ethical behaviours rooted, perhaps in religion and strong happy families. Oh, and others would point to Executive Corruption and lawlessness in the Corridors of Power which influence “structured” thievery by White Collar Specialist – Criminals. What a wicked milieu of criminality these days – in my once- innocent Guyana.
Preventing Crime,
Citizen-Effort…
This short sharp blast on my own trumpet is not motivated by an immodest opportunity or inclination to “show off”. Rather, I hope I can influence some group to sponsor my effort to renew an anti-crime initiative, or alternatively, to inspire some other individual or organization to pursue such a public education project.
You see, in June 1996, eighteen years ago, I had published an Advisory Booklet titled “Crimewatch Guyana – The Community – the Media- The Police Fighting Crime”. I and many regarded it as a useful Advisory to be used by the Police themselves, all citizens and educational institutions to inform themselves of how to pre-empt, prevent and to confront criminal activity. (I suppose bandits and potential crooks also found it “interesting”.)
The Stabroek News, commercial entities, law-abiding individuals and then Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis contributed to the emergence of that one approach to crime fighting. Numerous themes and issues were addressed in reader-friendly manner. From how trunkers operate choke-and-rob street talk, use of firearms, “conmanship” and drug use, to white collar crime, forgeries, security services, airport and Christmas-time crimes, this publication tried to teach citizens to be conscious of their personal security and safety. (I am pleased to announce that a favourite Civil Society Organisation of mine is now poised to support an upgrade and a reprint.)
Meanwhile, I urge other responsible groups to consider other initiatives. There is now widespread television, DVD’s and social media.
But hey! What about simple, practical and necessary steps in your street or community?
Join together to provide lighting for dark places attractive to bandits. Or just cut down the bush and remove or burn out derelict vehicles (?) Discuss…
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Aspects of “kidnapping”, abduction
Why this specific (criminal) issue? Well I am a fan of the American Television series “Law and Order.” Like the detectives in those episodes I become exasperated when the obvious perpetrators are spared because District attorney–prosecutors point out all sorts of legal defects. In American justice, in the name of rights and freedoms, many laws seem beneficial to crooks.
Secondly, I am all for giving this now acting Police Commissioner the benefits of many doubts. (Incidentally he must add two other communities to his pilot project- model list of Projects to improve Community-Police relations.) And I wish Minister Rohee would leave crime-fighting strategies to those better- experienced.
Against that background, I keep wondering if the officers assigned to the recent abduction murder did all that was available before the execution. What do the “Law-and–Order” detectives do? I doubt that they have to wait on telephone companies as they have sophisticated electronic devices in their own offices. GPF, poor guys, only just received a gift of finger- printing equipment. Minister Rohee must demand more modern resources and tell Cabinet to delay the Marriott!
Four years ago I published, through the same Crimewatch Guyana series, advisories on aspects of kidnapping and abduction. I share just a few excerpts.
First of all, Guyana actually has a kidnapping act (No.6 of 2003). This active legislation serves to guide investigators, attorneys and officers of the Court when prosecuting or defending such crimes. Guess what? Our Kidnapping Act does not really refer to any “kidnapping” in any section or clause of the law. Instead it speaks to abduction, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement (for ransom) and so on.
Strangely too, for abduction to be proven, the prosecutors, therefore, have to prepare for what the defence will contend. (I note that the recent case which has now reached the Courts has seen the defence attorneys all saying that their accused clients were allegedly soundly beaten and tortured by those naughty police. No further comment for now.)
Could you dear readers, consider and decide upon steps to be taken if a loved one is abducted? (Which spot were they taken from? Why? Who knew what about the victim, his/her circumstances and family? Are there surveillance cameras at your child’s school? What should “kidnap” victims look for when in captivity?) Watch out for the resumption of my Crimewatch series.
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Please ponder well…
NICIL as “agent”; agreement of sale; restrictive Covenant, Vesting Order; the children, labourers and residents of Leonora – and I – know little of these legal instruments. But I hope that the GUYSUCO investigation of the sale of its land to the Real–Estate fraudster will teach us all.
Images of the Budget protests are fuelling thoughts of early elections. Are you who vote really so gullible about politicians’ intentions?
So if the government builds two factories, one modern river – bridge and revitalises the town’s municipality, will that alone result in “voting PPP/C”?
I agree: we need to know more about the Castellani Compound’s National Intelligence Centre and the CCTV cameras. Without compromising national security. Even the USA’s NSA is under scrutiny.
If President Granger calls Home Affairs Minister Felix to find out why the comrade wasn’t issued a gun licence, little wrong. It’s when the President instructs the Minister and Police Commissioner, something can go very wrong. (But could such scenarios really end?)
Minister Manickchand’s latest print–media portraits look like a Bollywood starlet: Coming soon: seven self–employed bandits – Crime as an Employer.
Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
