The Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday rolled out its Christmas policing plan, which will see Georgetown, the country’s hub of activity, being divided into five sectors.
According to ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken, the Christmas plan will target crime, traffic congestion and road accidents. The GPF, he said, intends to police major hot spots and provide a safe and secure environment for citizens, visitors and shoppers. Policing arrangements in ‘A’ Division were intensified from last Saturday and this will last until January 15, 2015, he added.
Georgetown will be divided into five sectors and each will be manned by a Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent along with adequate ranks. Special operations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Intelligence Section will also be intensified in commercial and banking areas.
Noise nuisance will also be targeted, Hicken said and the Christmas plan will include increased foot, motorcycle and vehicular patrols around the city, along the East Bank/Timehri corridor, and in Albouystown and Agricola. Patrols will also be conducted on the waterways, the commander said.
Hicken further stated that road blocks will be coordinated with both ‘C’ and ‘D’ Divisions and the areas of concentration will be Dennis Street, Sophia, the East Bank corridor and the Harbour Bridge. According to Hicken, road blocks will now include one marked police vehicle in light of reports of persons impersonating police officers.
He further urged persons to cooperate and remain patient with the GPF. “In order for you to have a society that is crime-free, we must have what is called inconvenience.
And inconvenience means that you, members of the public, will be put through some level of inconvenience for the better good,” Hicken said.
Special arrangements have also been planned for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Old Year’s Day and Night when there will be increased activity amongst the population.
Meanwhile, traffic concerns will be addressed and the GPF will be targeting speeding and drunk driving.
In Georgetown, a tow truck will be used to remove illegally parked cars and wheel clamps and vehicle escorts will be provided when necessary.
Special congestion measures will also be implemented, Traffic Chief Hugh Denhert said. Hence, Robb Street will be a no entry zone to east-bound vehicular traffic between Alexander and Light streets.
Further updates on road closures will be provided through the media, Denhert promised.
He further said that the GPF will be working along with the Ministry of Public Works to work out traffic light arrangements that will ease traffic build up within the city.
