The Guyana Police Force’s Regional Division 4B, which covers Eccles to Moblissa, yesterday officially launched its policing plan for the holiday season and Divisional Commander Kurleigh Simon said an increase in armed robberies in the Providence area is among trends of concern to law enforcers.
Senior Superintendent Simon yesterday said that the plan aims to providing a safe and secure environment for citizens, visitors, businesses and the commuting public during the holiday season.
He noted that the plan will also place emphasis on visitors entering the country during the holiday season and new systems being implemented by the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Simon said that for the year so far, there has been an overall 2% decrease in serious crimes in the division. He reported that there has been a total of seven murders compared to 10 from the same period last year and 50 armed robberies compared to 81 from last year.
Simon, however, said armed robberies in the Providence area have been increasing. As a result, he said the area remains one of concern of the division. “In terms of robbery under arms where firearms were, used our concern is the Providence district,” he noted.
The Providence area, according to Simon, recorded a total of 26 robberies last year and 26 so far for this year.
As it relates to traffic, Simon also reported an increase. He said there has been a 10% increase in fatal accidents in the division.
Last year, he said, there were 12 road fatalities, while there have been 19 as of November 11th.
In light of the heightening of activities during the season, Simon said the division will be divided into five sectors and in each sector there will be an increased police presence, including foot patrols, intelligence-led and random operations and road blocks.
Simon added that booths will also be set up at various areas in the division, with emphasis being placed on commercial areas, hot spots and black spots.
Simon said curtailing speeding and driving under the influence will be high on the agenda for traffic. “Speeding campaigns and regular breathylyser tests for driving under the influence (DUI) will be conducted,” he said.
Focus will also be placed on persons leaving their vehicles in dangerous positions, negligently interrupting the free flow of traffic and breaching conditions of their road service licence, he added.
In the built up areas, Simon noted, non-diagonal parking will be enforced.
There will also be social prevention interventions, such as crime tips, so as to alert citizens how to conduct business in a safe manner.
The Regional Commander urged persons to be cognisant of their surroundings and to avoid walking alone in areas where criminal attacks regularly occur.
Persons are also advised to avoid conducting large cash transactions and to avoid leaving valuable items in unattended vehicles. “I think we need to also move away from the culture of conducting cash-based transactions and use more ATM, visa cards and cheque transactions,” Simon said.
