– Monday launch for IDB-funded project to reduce crime and violence

A PROJECT to reduce crime and violence — costing more than $3 billion — will kick into high gear following its official launch on Monday.The project will address three specific problems: the high incidence of violent behaviour at the community level; low Guyana Police Force (GPF) effectiveness to prevent and investigate crime at the national level; and the high number of repeat offenders at the national level.

Called the Citizen Security Strengthening Project (CSSP), this project was signed last February by the previous administration, with rigid safeguards against corruption to ensure prudent spending and guard against corruption. The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) is funding the US$15 million project — a follow-up to the Citizen Security Programme which was approved by the IADB in 2006 and completed in 2014.

The new project, which is expected to last until 2020, is being implemented by the Ministry of Public Security, Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and is being managed by IADB through direct supervision.

The new project will undertake preventative strategies to reduce crime and violence here, but especially in 20 targeted communities and among youths, so as to lead them away from a life of crime.

Community Crime & Violence Prevention – US$5.7 million

The first component of the project seeks to address aspects of crime and violence in the communities which will benefit directly from the project. These specific communities are Stabroek, Lacytown, Sophia, Kuru Kururu, Bel Air, Port Mourant, Adelphi Village, Annandale, Mon Repos, South Ruimveldt, Tuchen De Vrierden, Bush Lot Village, Albion, Wismar, Agricola, Enmore, East Le Penitence, Lusignan, McDoom, and Charlestown.

The project will look at the needs of each of the communities, and direct resources to undertake specific activities. In all the areas, community involvement is being seen as key to the success of the project. Those persons who will benefit from the project are aged between 15 and 64 in the 20 targeted communities.

According to police statistics, 19.5% of robberies, 19.4% of burglaries, and 13.9% of domestic violence (DV) cases (physical) in 2013 occurred in those communities in 2013.

Non-governmental, governmental and private sector organizations will be contracted to determine and address the reasons for interpersonal violence, and to address social norms that promote acceptance of violence, such as parenting, gender norms, and conflict resolution.

Young people will be trained in various skills, and would be assisted in getting jobs or starting up their own businesses. In addition, members of these communities will be mentored, receive counselling, and would also be engaged in literacy programmes.

According to the 2011 Safe Neighbourhood Survey, there is a high tolerance of violence in interpersonal relationships and within the home in Guyana. 41.63% of the population strongly agrees that a man is justified in slapping his wife. The average 2013 domestic violence rate in the 20 target communities is 1,104.6 per 100,000 persons.

Unemployment, which is thought to increase crime and violence, and underemployment associated with low educational attainment are prevalent in the said target communities. 73.9% of target community members over 15 years of age lack any form of formal qualification — a serious impediment to accessing employment, and there is limited provision of remedial and vocational training nationally.

Crime Prevention and Investigation – US$5.5 million

The second aspect of the project seeks to boost the Guyana Police Force’s ability to prevent and investigate crime, especially homicides, burglaries and robberies. The project is financing an evidence-based Crime Preventing policing model at the national level, which includes IT improvements, police training, and specialization in evidence-based policing, which complements the efforts; and there are 4 national high quality Crime and Violence surveys.

Included in the training for the police would be scenario-based domestic violence training for police officers.

Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration Services – US$2.3 million

The third aspect of the project seeks to improve effectiveness of the Guyana Prison Service in reducing the number of repeat offenders at the national level by financing two streams of activities. There will be a prison census of the country’s five penal institutions, including a needs assessment; design and implementation of a rehabilitation model aligned with international best practices; design and implementation of a case management programme; and development and implementation of a rehabilitation and reintegration service delivery training plan. To address prison overcrowding, the project is financing a study of incarceration alternatives for pre-trial detainees.