CRIME WORSE THAN WE THINK
According to recent police statistics, within the last eight months, there have been 66 murders in the country representing a 16 percent decrease over the same period last year when 79 persons were murdered.
There was also a 19 percent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used, a 30 percent decrease in robbery with aggravation; an18 percent decrease in larceny from the person; a nine percent decrease in break and enter and larceny and a one percent decrease in rape.
However, the same police statistics revealed that there was a 23 percent increase in robberies with no instruments; a one percent increase in robbery where firearms were used, a five percent increase in robbery with violence and a four percent increase in burglary.
While these figures seem all dandy, crime in Guyana is worse than we think. It is sad but true that it is almost impossible for the police or anyone else compiling statistics on crime to know exactly how much crime actually occurs in the country.
Usually, when a crime is committed, only the criminal and the victim, and sometimes an unhelpful or fearful witness would know about it. The police are therefore faced with an incomplete picture of the real crime situation. Their statistics will give them a general understanding of how much crime exists but they may never have the entire picture.
Crimes such as murder, rape, aggravated assault, home invasions, robberies, shoplifting, purse-snatching, pick-pocketing and vehicle theft, among others show a disturbing trend that the country is experiencing a lot of crime. But what is even more disturbing is that all victims do not report to the police, and therefore one can conclude that the crime problem is much greater than we think.
This under-reporting of crime represents a major problem in the country. It is alleged that some police have practices that affect the number of crimes being reported. Others do not record every report from a citizen as a crime. They may not have the time to do so because of their busy schedules and heavy paperwork.
And in many other cases, some do not believe the person making the report. Therefore, if they do not record the report, it does not count as a crime. Many believe that some police stations may not record crimes or have downgraded others in an apparent effort to make it appear as if the crime rate is declining.
It seems that crimes such as murder, robbery and rape, especially of women, have become commonplace. A United Nations Survey in 2016 on Violence against Women in Guyana uncovered a very troubling trend.
The Survey found that 37 percent of women aged 15 to 60 had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by intimate partners at least twice in their lifetime and six percent had done so in the past two years. Another 19 percent of women were victims of sexual violence or rape by men other than lovers or husbands.
These are unacceptably huge proportions of our female population who are being physically or sexually abused in our midst. The facts should make us consider how to immediately stop the nightmare of so many women.
Perhaps, more importantly, the government should establish a committee to determine the causes of the victimization and how to deal with those who perpetrate such heinous crimes against women.
In his acceptance speech for his new position, Mr. Leslie James promised to drastically reduce crime by stopping the flow of illegal drugs and weapons into the country. We hope he succeed.
