AS the traditional hectic Christmas season approaches, the number of shoppers and people doing business in the city dramatically increases.
This leads to traffic build up and the need for heightened security as criminals will be on ‘high alert’ to pounce on hapless victims. To cope, the Police Force has deployed more police ranks throughout the city, particularly in the busy commercial areas and on busy streets.
Both traffic and security ranks are more visible across the city, in addition to mobile patrols. There also seems to be better organisation and coordination of the patrols deployed compared to previous years.
This will give shoppers and those doing business in the city during this period a feeling of assurance and a sense of security, reducing the fear that can envelop persons at this time.
The heightened police presence in the city seems to be already paying dividends because recently there have not been many reports of criminal activities in and around Georgetown. The flow of traffic has been relatively smooth as well.
This is an example of how the preventative approach to crime fighting is much more effective than the reactive mode and should always be the preferred approach to societal problems.
The mere visibility of police acts as a deterrent to criminals because they have to think twice before acting, as the probability of them escaping after carrying out their dastardly acts has now been significantly reduced and the odds are against them.
To further boost the patrol capability of the Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday handed over 20 motor cycles to the police and this will definitely boost their ability to nab criminals.
It is only fair that the police are given adequate resources to do their job effectively.
In fact, one of the features of this administration has been the constant upgrading of resources for the police because at one time vehicles and equipment posed severe constraints in the fight against crime.
Assistant Commissioner, Krishna Lekhraj, confirmed that the motorcycles will go a far way in strengthening patrols in rural and urban areas.
He said the presentation is a big boost to the current arrangement as it relates to Christmas policing and the acquisition of the motorcycles is timely and would better equip the force for crime fighting.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, during the handing over ceremony, reiterated the government’s commitment to increase the mobile capacity of the Police Force.
However, the minister touched on a most pertinent issue which has attracted the attention of the wider society for some time now, and that is the conduct of the police in the execution of their duties.
On this note, he exhorted the ranks to conduct themselves in a manner that is pleasing at all times, especially in the execution of their duties. He urged that they abide by the force’s standing orders, because they will be under constant public scrutiny.
This is an area that the force needs to work persistently on because there have been too many complaints about police abuse and misconduct.
After all, they are part of the disciplined forces and therefore should set exemplary standards in relation to discipline because this will help instill greater confidence of the people in the Police Force and create a more positive image of policemen and policewomen.