PSC Chairman Norman McLean

As crime spirals out of control

– business community terrified

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

Contrary to declarations touted by the APNU/AFC government and proclamations from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) that crime is under control, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) contends it is spiralling rapidly.

Chairman of the PSC Norman McLean on Friday during a media briefing, stated that the trends in the escalation of crime in the country seem to continue ‘unchecked’.

Despite figures released by the police force, the PSC is gravely concerned about the obvious “hype in crime” and though the Commission was “somewhat reluctant” to pronounce on these developments, it was hoped there would have been major improvements to curtail the situation:

“The PSC is greatly concerned over what we perceive as the hype in crimes and we are left to wonder who is next. Crimes of violence are being conducted with impunity and little regard for life, and no respect and no fear of the police and the consequences of their action. People are living in fear – old and young are being targeted.”

McLean explained that earlier this year the PSC had presented a comprehensive document at the Annual Officer’s Conference but since then to now it has been revised. It is hoped this document will be used as a base for further action.

“We cannot expect it to be adopted wholesale but it should be discussed, debated and considered by the police… How will we get numbers needed to upstream the police to workable numbers? How will the police upgrade their numbers, training and trainers to make an impact on crime?” Mclean questioned.

The PSC chairman, who is also a former Chief of Staff of the disciplined services, further stated that the recent attacks by criminals in the country clearly support the fact that these criminals no longer fear the police or relevant authorities.

Serious crimes

According to McLean, the serious crime rate was reported to be about 10 per cent which is considerably high. When compared against the figure documented last year for the corresponding period, murders have also increased tremendously.

Presently, 65 per cent of all crimes are committed in A Division of the GPF.

“The largest increase in serious crimes has been in the cases of rape which reportedly had an increase of 65 per cent which amounts to 271 persons versus 164. I can continue with this mass of detail but suffice to say that besides rape, a major issue is suicide and this requires a detailed study to establish why young people wish to kill themselves. It is a phenomenon which has to be addressed,” he emphatically stated.

“Prevention” rather

than “cure”

Mclean acknowledged that the GPF has had some outstanding successes in ‘detection’ and as such they should be commended for jobs well done in this regard.

He noted, however, that people are still fearful for their lives and would wish to see ‘prevention rather than cure’.

“We wish to see greater proactive performance and preventive efforts to build confidence in the police and less fear of crime. The PSC wishes to see improvements and results which will lead to a feeling of safety under the umbrella of the police and so have less fear of crime,” the PSC Chairman also noted.

It must be noted the PSC is also recommending that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan reactivate the ‘Law and Order Commission’ on which many members of the then Opposition including the late Debbie Backer and former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix (presently a government minister) made sterling contributions.

Meanwhile, McLean underscored the role of the PSC, which plays a vital role in the growth and stability of Guyana.

“We have been denied access to the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) data and therefore cannot really help the police on this analytical tool – where is the transparency that was so widely touted? That was available at least through the Law and Order Commission. This is not a secret as our people are being beaten, robbed and killed,” he posited.

According to McLean, the PSC has helped the police force in the past by providing cycles, motorcycles, equipment, etc and will continue to do so.

“After all there can be no development in our country without security… Let us help our police and not bury our heads in the sand.”(kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)