By Kenesha Fraser
Poor or no response by police to reports of crime and the need for speed bumps were some of the issues raised when residents of Mainstay, Tapakuma and Lima Sands on the Essequibo Coast met the top police officer of ‘G’ Division on Wednesday.
‘G’ Division Comman-der Superinten-dent Kevin Adonis, Sergeant-in-charge of the Anna Regina Police Station Fyndilin Isaacs, Cadet Officer at the Anna Regina Police Station Bevone Gordon, Head of the Traffic Department Mathew Craig and Second-in-Charge of the CID Deoanand Gangoo held a community meeting at Lima Sands Nursery School.
Addressing the villagers, Adonis said that the police’s aim is to partner with the communities in order for there to be resolution with regard to issues affecting residents.
“We are not here to scare you. We need information about what is happening in your various communities so we will then be able to better serve you and solve whatever problems you are being faced with,” Adonis said.
Iman Baksh, a resident of Lima Sands voiced his concern about the way in which reports are taken by ranks at the Anna Regina Police Station. “About 6 weeks ago, a woman was being brutally beaten and when I called the police station to make a report the officer started asking me questions such as my age and race,” Baksh said. “I find that it was not required. I was calling from a cell phone and by the time I answered all those questions, the woman could have been killed.”
The man added that when reports are made, the police would not arrive in the community until hours after or sometimes the following day, even though the Anna Regina Police Station is just about 30 minutes away from Lima Sands.
Just last month, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee had lambasted junior ranks for making “flimsy excuses” for not responding to crime reports, especially at night and called for them to be better supervised. Speaking at the opening of a leadership and management training course for 26 junior officers of the joint services, Rohee had announced that performance indicators have been developed to measure police response time. However, he had only given response targets for ‘A’ to ‘D’ Divisions and those were between 5 to 20 minutes.
“The police’s excuse is that they don’t have enough staff or no vehicle is available,” Baksh said. “My point is that this should not be so. Persons call the station to make reports because they know how serious the matter is.” Baksh also complained about noise nuisance in the area saying that his neighbour’s “boom box” speakers are turned towards his house. “These people find it most convenient to play loud music late in the nights and early in the mornings. I have reported this many times to the police and I’m not seeing any actions being taken to solve this problem. Something has to be done about it,” he added.
Responding to Baksh’s concerns, Sergeant Isaacs said information such as the age or race of the person making the report is required for the purpose of recordkeeping. “Such information is necessary but if it is a case of urgency, these questions can be asked later,” she said.
She also said that in order not to disturb other persons living in the community, music should be played up until 12 pm at night and at a comfortable listening tone.
A teacher at the Lima Sands Nursery School, Elsie Schadde, pointed to the need for speed bumps in the area especially near the schools. “Our children have life and value and it’s a shame how those with motorcycles race through here. Some of them are even unlicensed,” she said. “Speed bumps are important because most of the children in nursery school walk home by themselves and would even wait on the side of the road for transportation and the speed that these vehicles go by with, I get cold with concern for these children.”
Craig said the Ministry of Public Works would have to be consulted for permission to install the speed bumps. He promised that in the meantime, the police will be on patrol in the area in an effort to combat the speeding problem.
Petty crimes
Toshao of Tapakuma Village Doreen Jacobis said that in her community, the same issues are plaguing residents. “There is an amount of petty crimes in Tapakuma and sometimes when I call the police station by cell phone they say that the report is taken but in fact nothing is being done,” she lamented.
“The village [Tapakuma] has a bus but if anything happens and the police are needed, they always say that there is no gas, the police have gone on patrol or there is no vehicle available so in the end we have to use the community bus, which costs a lot because the bus has to be taken for hire. I am confused as to why the police [do not want to come] into the village.”
Jacobis said she is pushed around when she visits the police station. “Officers can do more for the village of Tapakuma. What they are doing now is not good enough. We look forward to them for protection and help,” she added.
The Toshao pointed out that there is also a noise nuisance issue in her area which she believes stems from the consumption of alcohol. “Alcohol is prohibited in Amerindian villages but still it is sold by persons even though they do not have licences to do so,” she told the police. “In this regard, I would really like the help of the police. I think that a police outpost should be built at Red Lock which is a junction for residents living in Tapakuma, Mainstay and Lima Sands. I am sure that this outpost is going to benefit us all and it will be of great help in solving these problems.”
Since according to residents the consumption of alcohol by men, women and even teenagers is a growing problem in all three of the villages, the suggestion was made that a group be formed especially for the women so awareness can be raised on the effects of alcohol. This recommendation was readily accepted and the police officers pledged their full support in helping to form the group.
After listening to the concerns of the residents, Adonis noted that some of the issues which exist can be resolved with the help of community members. He pointed out that cooperation is vital in ironing out the problems.
A youth group is also set to be formed and the residents from the various villages were asked for their support.
