Dear Editor,
Every day we have reports of robbery and assaults, shootings and even murders. It is very worrying and people are living in fear. We need action by the police. It has to be stopped. Here are some suggestions:
1) Increase police patrols all around the city and in the towns and country areas. Mobilize vehicles from other ministries, and even the private sector, and have these vehicles drive up and down, especially at night. They must have radio communication or at least cell phones so that they can constantly make contact with the stations.
2) ‘Stop and searches’ should be carried out at all major police stations along the coast and at the banks, such as at Providence, Sparendaam, Mahaica, Albion, Leonora and other places. Vehicles must be stopped and searched. There must be clear signs that it is a police operation. Suspicious vehicles and persons must be fully checked. At both the Demerara and Berbice Bridges after the peak hours of the day checks should be done on one side of the crossing.
3) Joint patrols between the army and the police must take place.
4) 911 and telephones at stations must be in working order.
5) Quick response: There must be a working vehicle with armed officers at police stations to respond and not have to ask for transportation.
6) The Community Policing Groups must be more active and visible.
7) Groups of people loitering must be broken up or arrested.
The crime situation is stopping Guyanese abroad from visiting Guyana and is making many persons think of leaving. This is not good enough.
A special programme must be worked out for motorcyclists and for special surveillance on places where criminals hang out.
We need action now!
Yours faithfully,
Chandranarine Sharma
Managing Director
of CNS Channel 6
Leader of the Justice for All Party
