Despite a more than 35% increase in murders, Crime Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston yesterday reported a overall 2.5% decrease in serious crimes for the year up to the end of October.
Speaking at the launch of the Guyana Police Force’s Christmas policing plan at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Kingston noted that up to October 31st, the force has recorded a total of 114 murders; 4 execution-style, 21 during the occurrence of robbery, 12 domestic-related, 63 disorderly, 14 unknown and one other.
The total figure, representing a 35.7% increase, compares with 84 murders recorded for the corresponding period last year.
Disorderly murders, Kingston stated, represent an area of concern for the force and the police are currently in discussion with their stakeholders to minimise the figure. He added that majority of the disorderly murders occur in the interior locations and are as a result of “heavy drinking and sporting.”
As it relates to robberies, he noted that there have been a total of 976 so far in the period under review. While robberies and robberies with the use of a gun declined by 9.3% and 2.2%, respectively, it was noted that armed robberies utilising other implements rose by 27.2% while robbery with violence rose by 7%. Robbery with aggravation declined by 2.2%.
In relation to the other serious crimes, Kingston reported that larceny from the person has increased by 31.4%, while burglary has increased by 7.9%, while rape and break and enter and larceny declined by 27.3% and 14.3%, respectively.
Kingston further explained that a total of 83 firearms were seized in the review periiod. These, he said includes 54 pistols, 16 revolvers, 9 shotguns, 2 rifles and 1 sub-machine gun.
He further stated that 82 acres of cannabis were destroyed thus far for the year while as of present, 10 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized.
Throughout the year, Kingston explained that the police were faced with many challenges, such as the settling of criminal matters between suspects and victims outside of the courts, lack of investment in proper security at premises and banks, too many large cash transactions, poor quality of CCTV security surveillance camera footage, lack of co-operation to facilitate extraction of CCTV footage and failure of witnesses to attend identification parades and court.
However, despite the numerous challenges, he noted there have been a number of successes, including the solving of several high-profile crimes and cold cases.
‘Intensified’
With the approaching Christmas season, Kingston said policing will be intensified as during this period it is known that there will be a high increase in economic activities.
The force’s Christmas plan, which will be activated from yesterday until January 15th, 2020, is intended to minimise criminal activities, minimise traffic congestion and road accidents and to provide a safe and secure environment for citizens, visitors, businesses and the commuting public.
Kingston explained while emphasis will be placed on addressing issues of crime in all the regional divisions, special attention will be given to Regional Division 4(a), which accounts for 41.3% of the total serious crime in the country.
During his presentation, Divisional Commander of Region 4 (a) Assistant Commissioner Marlon Chapman said that in order to effectively and adequately police the city and its environs, Region #4 (a) (Agricola- Cummings-Lodge) will be divided into nine (9) sectors.
Each sector, he said, will be commanded by an Officer or Inspector along with adequate ranks and heightened special operations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and intelligence ranks at identified hot spots.
He added that there will be continued focus on noise nuisance, the enforcement of the 2am curfew and increased patrols around the city, including at the Georgetown Prison, hotels, night spots, places of business, banks and post offices.
This, Chapman noted, will be enhanced by roadblocks, stop and search exercises and foot patrols.
Special arrangements will be put in place on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Old Year’s day/night.
For instance, between the December 22nd and 31st, he said, foot patrol timings will be adjusted to accommodate late shopping.
Chapman added that motorcycle and vehicular patrols will also be done on a 24-hours basis through a shift system.
Police booths will also be set up in and around the city, he noted.
Patrols will be deployed as per normal and special emphasis will be given to places of worship, entertainment spots, businesses and public transport centres.
