By Alva Solomon

A COUNTRYWIDE Joint Services operation that stretches until June 1 next year has been activated to combat crime, boost security during the holiday season, and take counter-terrorism measures.During this time of the year, there is usually a hike in economic activities with a simultaneous increase in criminal activities, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told the media during a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, and all statutory security operations will be integrated into the wider security arrangement, ‘Operation Dragnet’, to address crime this year-end.

At the same time, government has recognised that Guyana is not exempted from the threat of terrorism, a global issue facing world leaders and so security on the country’s borders and at ports of entries has been enhanced. The Guyana Police Force in a release stated that the Joint Services, comprising the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service, will be conducting the operation throughout Guyana with the aim of enhancing national security.

“During this period, there will be increased movement of Joint Services personnel and the conduct of intensified security operations, both by individual Services and jointly, which may result in some inconvenience to members of the public,” the police said. The Force also advised citizens not to be alarmed, and called on their support for the operation.

Harmon told reporters that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had briefed Cabinet on the important features of the operation. He explained that the operation centres on two areas: One being safety and economic considerations, given the increase in business transactions at this time of the year; and the other area is the threat of terrorism, a global problem.

ENHANCED NATIONAL SECURITY
He said that public security bodies in coordination with other law enforcement agencies will conduct intensified operations throughout Guyana from this month. “What that means is that all statutory security operations will be integrated into this Operation Dragnet with the end result that we will have enhanced national security environment,” he noted.

At the level of the villages and communities, additional police ranks will be deployed to arrest any criminal activities there. To this end, Harmon said that Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud has given assurances that all police ranks who are not engaged in core functions of the Guyana Police Force will be deployed to ensure an increased “robust” presence in the streets, towns and village across the country.
At the business end, the Minister of State explained that at Christmas time there is always an increased police presence because of a rise in economic activities and cash transactions given the type of economy here. He said that it was felt necessary that the businesses receive the assurance that government is taking their concerns “in putting some sort of action in place.”

ASSURANCE FOR BUSINESSES
Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin has been asking for an arrangement to be put in place to address security at the level of the business community, Harmon added. He said that the crime situation was examined to ensure that “people feel safe in their homes, safe in their schools and feel safe in their communities.”

Noting that terrorism has no borders, Harmon said that the government has to ensure the safety of the population to avoid any eventuality. He informed that on the borders there will be an enhanced presence of forces and at the ports of entry across the country, there will be intensified security by immigration services. “We are not to consider ourselves a territory that is exempted from the threat of terrorism,” Harmon noted.

He made mention of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, France, Mali’s capital Bamako and other territories including Russia. Closer to the region, Harmon said that there were concerns in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago about the influence of terrorists there.
“We are not immune from that (terrorism) and therefore it would be remiss of a government if it does not put into place arrangements which will secure its citizenry,” he posited.

BORDER PROBLEMS
Meanwhile, Harmon noted that neighbouring Venezuela, whose relations with Guyana has been tested in recent times, will have its parliamentary elections this weekend. He said Guyana has to always be aware of the events regarding the border problems with the Bolivarian Republic as well as neighbouring Suriname .

“We have to take these things seriously and as your government it is our responsibility to ensure that the citizenry of this country are safe and that you can go about your business in a manner that is conducive to development and enjoyment,” he added.