Dear Editor,
The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in yesterday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle under the caption ‘Rape gang tormenting Bartica teens …probe launched, group urges action’.
Please be advised that so far for the year there were fourteen reported cases of sexual assault committed on females in Bartica (Region 7).
Ten of those matters are currently before the courts; one was dismissed for want of prosecution; two were sent for legal advice and in the case of one, advice was obtained and the suspect who is no longer residing in the area, is being sought.
The Force wishes the public to know that once information or a complaint is received in respect of the subject matter, a probe is conducted and advice sought without delay.
The Divisional Commander, along with key personnel under his command, has embarked on a number of community outreaches and social crime prevention programmes, targeting communities in Bartica and Itaballi, among others, with a view to sensitising young people especially to the social ills of society and the importance of living healthy and productive lives. The spin-off of these activities has so far yielded much success such as the formation of youth groups, regular lectures to schools on Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programmes, a reduction in teenage pregnancy, improved police/public relations and the seizure of in excess of 12 kilograms of illegal drugs and twenty-one firearms, resulting in a number of persons being arrested and charged with various offences.
The issue alluded to in the article is one that needs the holistic effort of key players and stakeholders in society to combat the situation. The police have already been working in tandem with the Child Care & Protection Agency and school welfare officers in trying to eliminate this problem.
Yours faithfully,
Jairam Ramlakhan
Superintendent
Public Relations and Press Officer
