Though the same amount of murders have taken place between January 1 and February 29 this year, in comparison with the same period last year, the number of murders committed during robberies has increased.
According to figures released by police yesterday, there were nine robbery-related murders among the 25 murders recorded between January 1 and February 29, in comparison with two for the same period last year.
Between March 1 and 13, four murders have been recorded.
A press release from the force said that at the end of February, 2016, the police recorded a 12% decrease in serious crimes in comparison to the same period in 2015.This has been credited to the force’s continued efforts “to place emphasis on intelligence led policing, capacity building of the Criminal Investigation Department, its social crime prevention programme and enhancing police community relations.”
Serious crimes are murder, armed robbery, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.
It was stated that at the end of February, armed robbery overall has decreased by 4% in comparison to the same period in 2015. The statistics indicate a decrease of 9% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, while there was a 4% increase in relation to the number of armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
The statistics have revealed that there has also been a decrease of 13% in the number of reports of rape, with 48 reports at the end of February this year compared to 55 for the same period last year.
Break and enter and larceny and burglary have also decreased overall by 11%, the police said, while adding that there has been a 17% reduction in break and enter and larceny by itself.
In relation to domestic violence, it was stated at the end of February, a total of 473 reports were made from which 311 cases resulted.
Having listed the names of persons who were charged in high-profile cases, the release said that the force is continuing in its efforts aimed at crime prevention through its police-community partnership programme along with social crime prevention interventions in the policing divisions, with special emphasis on empowering youths. Among the programmes are the Impact Albouystown Project and police youth clubs. Meaningful support in this regard, it was stated, continues to be given by members of the religious community attached to the Cops and Faith Community Network.
According to the release, in February 179 students, accompanied by parents and teachers, visited the Police Headquarters and were taken on tours to several important locations.
The Police Force also participated in the President’s College Career Fair, where an exhibition booth was established and ranks from the Police Narcotics Unit, Crime Scene Unit, Traffic, Immigration, the Police Military Band and the Felix Austin Police College highlighted the development of the various areas to enthusiastic students.
Divisional Comman-ders, it was stated, were also involved in various community-based projects aimed at fostering better relationships with the community. In ‘B’ Division (Berbice), footwear and other personal effects were distributed to residents of the Hugo Chavez Home at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice; a number of household items were donated to a family who had recently lost their home to a fire at Number 69 Village, Corentyne; a quantity of cricket gears was presented to twelve-year-old Isaiah King who is an aspiring young cricketer; and ranks along with members of the community were involved in environmental cleaning in the Number 76 Village Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice, and the compound of the St Michael’s Anglican Church at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.
In ‘D’ Division (West Demerara/East Bank Essequibo), the police donated a television set, a quantity of floor tiles, steel rods and a number of books for the construction of a library at the Parfaite Harmonie Primary School, West Bank Demerara, and collaborated with the regional administration to make workers available for the laying of the tiles. Upon completion of the project, a computer and printer will be presented to the school to assist in the administration of the library. In ‘E’ Division (Linden/ Kwakwani), ranks of the Mabura Police Station, in collaboration with officials of Demerara Timbers Limited, sponsored a cricket competition between residents of Mabura and the community of Fifty-Eight Miles, Linden; the Central Amelia’s Ward Police Youth Club was resuscitated; and Suicide Prevention Walks were held in collaboration with the House of Prayer Church of Linden, the ‘Lester and Friends’ Organisation and the Police Linden Scout Group around Mackenzie and Wismar, Linden.
In ‘G’ Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands), Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud held a meeting with residents of the Affiance Village community at the Affiance Sports Ground where, among other issues, the discussions focused on the construction of a pavilion on the sports ground as a joint venture among the police and businessmen and other members of the community.
Further the release said that in February there were nine interventions supported by the religious community in the Cops and Faith Community Network, which deals with juvenile first offenders for minor crimes as a preemptive intervention to the New Opportunity Corps.
In relation to the family liaison for victims of serious crimes and domestic violence project, which is also under the Cops and Faith Community Network, there were 15 interventions by members of the religious community in response to attempt suicide and cases of serious crimes including arson, armed robbery and murder, where the affected persons, victims and relatives, accordingly, were counseled, the release added.
