Force unveils plans for policing during Xmas season
As the Christmas season approaches, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has promised to heighten its presence throughout the streets of Georgetown and across the other regions in the country with 24-hour security as it yesterday unfolded its annual Christmas Policing Posture (CPP) which has been divided into fifteen sectors.
The strategies for Georgetown which were discussed yesterday at the launching of the force’s CPP which was held in the Police Officer’s Mess at Eve Leary, will be enforced within the boundaries from the arch at Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara to the other arch at Cummings Lodge, on the East Coast of Demerara.
The strategies which commenced yesterday and will end on January 15th of 2023 include the placement of police booths at the various hotspots around Georgetown, 24 hours of both motor vehicle patrol and foot patrols, as well as minimisation of traffic accidents and congestion during the period.
According to Commander of Regional Division 4 ‘A’, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean, “Our intention is to create a safe environment for businesses, shoppers, and visitors, within the region for the Christmas period, increased foot, bicycle, vehicular, and drone patrols, because we know during this season activities will be heightened and we are heightening our presence also… we intend to reduce crime, fear of crime, traffic accidents and congestion.”
McBean disclosed that they will be working in close collaboration with the City Constabulary, private security agencies, the business community, community policing groups, and many other organizations that are versed in the security sector. They have since collaborated with the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
“To achieve our intention, we divided Georgetown into fifteen sectors consisting of foot, bicycle, vehicle, marine, canine, and mounted patrols. Each sector will be commanded by an officer, inspector, along with adequate ranks.” The commander noted that much focus will be placed on intelligence led-operations, noise nuisance, and commercial and residential areas as well.
Along with patrols, some other methods consist of the heightening of security and management of entertainment and public events, continuous community engagement with businesses, citizens, and stakeholders, and the publication of safety tips by their corporate communications unit.
These methods will be strongly enforced for Sector One which includes the seawall area, Camp Street, Robb Street and the Demerara River. This sector targets tourism/recreational areas such as hotels, as well as banks, the post office, and other business places.
Sectors Two, Three, Four and Five will focus on the markets around Georgetown, especially the Stabroek Market and commercial and residential areas. These sectors will see anti-crime beats which consist of a GPF officer and a city constabulary officer. Patrol vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles patrols will also be present.
Meanwhile, sectors Six to Twelve will also be keen on shopping and supermarket areas and residential and commercial areas. It will see foot, bicycle and motor vehicle patrols.
Sector 13’s areas of focus are the Giftland Mall, Movietowne and commercial and residential areas. It will see the same patrols like Sector Six and others. Sector 14’s main area of focus is the Sophia area while Sector 15 also deals with commercial and residential places.
During his presentation, the force’s traffic chief, Superintendent Dennis Stephen, said, “The traffic department of the Guyana Police Force anticipates an increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the upcoming Christmas season… in this regard the department plans to heighten the deployment of ranks in an effort to minimize traffic accidents, congestions and other traffic related occurrences… our intentions are to ensure a free flow of traffic, minimize traffic accidents and to ensure that citizens obey all traffic laws through diligent enforcement countrywide.”
According to Stephen, mobile traffic patrols will be working on a 24-hour basis while foot patrols will be working for 12 hours with a 4-hour shift system.
He informed that special emphasis will be placed on arrivals and departures at the Cheddi Jagan and Eugene Correia international airports. Lorries traversing the East Bank corridor will be restricted between 07:00 hours to 9:00 hours from Monday to Friday. As it relates to the business community, they are also advised to offload their containers at the terminals then transport their goods via smaller trucks to their
respective business outlets.
In giving his statistical report, the traffic chief highlighted that there has been a four per cent increase in fatal accidents but a five per cent decrease in deaths (83 fatal accidents and 90 deaths for 2022) for the year 2022. He noted that most of the accidents are due to inattentiveness and mostly occur on Monday between 18:00 hours to 23:59 hours.
Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, in his closing remarks urged the public, especially business owners, to adhere to the law and cooperate with police officers.