A day after a spine-tingling raid on America and Longden streets by gunmen on motor bikes, the police were yesterday working on several leads but no arrest has been made.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Stabroek News that the police are currently pursuing all avenues to apprehend the suspects and they have collected some intelligence which would reveal the identity of several of them. In addition to the information they have, they are also reviewing CCTV footage from cameras from several businesses around the area.
Several money changes were robbed and terrorised by the gunmen on Tuesday. Eyewitnesses said the robbers, who used five motorbikes and a car to carry out the attack, pulled up at the intersection of Longden and America streets and fired shots into the air while demanding the moneychangers hand over everything. The men were reportedly armed with automatic weapons.
Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan yesterday said that it is embarrassing that a group of bandits can hold up and rob multiple people so early in the evening.
While armed robberies around the country have been on the rise Ramjattan said that credit must also be given to the police force which has been making arrests and solving some of the crimes. “I want a more professional and modern force,” he said, contending that his programme of training police officers has been making a positive impact on the force which he is working hard to revamp.
He added that in terms of revamping the force he is looking at the “degrading environment” that officers are forced to endure and he believes that if these conditions are changed and the force gets a complete overhaul and officers are able to work in comfort then they will be motivated to do their jobs much more efficiently.
Ramjattan said that he is waiting for the Inter-American Development Bank to set up the project which will assist in providing “a lot more eyes around the city.” He stated that with the procurement and placing of HD CCTV cameras, there will be a higher chance of catching criminals. “With the cameras, the HD cameras, we will be able to either have clear images of their faces or even get the number plates of the bikes and vehicles they are using,” Ramjattan added.
He said that while there are multiple factors that influence crime, a large reason is the unemployment rate in the country. “We need to get the unemployment rate lowered. Get more jobs for the young people. There is a call and a need for better economic stability,” he said.
While the criticism has been weighing on Ramjattan about his long term plan in tackling crime, the minister said that he is urging those who are “bad talking” the police to join them and help to fight the crime since the police force is currently understaffed. He also added that he is seeking the help from the British Government which was offered years ago but was stalled by the previous government. “We are now reaping the harvest of that poor decision,” he stated.
In light of the approaching Christmas season when a lot of business is conducted, Ramjattan said that there will be additional police patrols in various areas around the city.
In relation to the robbery of the money changers, Ramjattan said he is urging people to start using “plastic” rather than walking the streets with large sums of cash.
He said that people should start utilising the credit and debit services that are offered by banks.
