FORMER Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Retired Brigadier General Mark Phillips, believes that incidents of gun-related crime in the country are at their highest, and has ranked the issue as the most pressing matter facing the society.Speaking in a private capacity at the opening ceremony of a one-day security forum and expo, organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Friday afternoon at the Duke Lodge in Kingston, Phillips said he is aware of efforts made by Government over the years to improve the security situation of the country while simultaneously addressing crime.

He opined that six challenges are likely to drive Guyana’s security priorities, and he listed them as: violent crime, territorial integrity, illicit trafficking of arms and people, transnational organised crimes, terrorism, and cyber security/cyber crime.

“I place at number one violent crime, because notwithstanding the crime statistics that speaks to a reduction in crime, it is my firm belief as a citizen of Guyana that the high incidence of gun-related crimes is today the most pressing problem in the Guyanese society”, Phillips told the gathering of private security firm heads, among other stakeholders.

The Guyana Police Force had earlier this month reported a 21 per cent decline in serious crimes at the end of September. According to statistics revealed by the Force, there has been a 9 per cent reduction in reports of murder; a 5 per cent decrease in gun-related robberies; a 17 per cent decrease in armed robberies where other instruments were used; a 15 per cent decrease in robberies where no instruments were used; a 25 per cent decrease in robbery with violence; a 4% decrease in robbery with aggravation; a 33% decrease in larceny from the person; a 19% decrease in rape; a 13% decrease in burglary and a 21% decrease in break and enter and larceny respectively.

Additionally, 67 illegal firearms were seized, comprising 29 pistols, 21 revolvers, and 17 shotguns.

Notwithstanding the police statistics, Phillips said, citizens of the country are exposed every day “to more and more violent robberies” at various places, including their places of business, shops, delivery vehicles, rice fields, nightclubs, churches and homes.

“No one is safe from violent crime and criminal activity,” he said, noting that it is only a matter of time before the criminals “attack anyone of us.”

He said that in a dynamic security context, there is need for collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil society and the media, to explore opportunities and safeguard national interests, especially the promotion of economic development here.

Phillips, who retired from the GDF on October 2, after serving that entity for some 36 years, says Guyana faces a number of external and internal threats. On the subject of citizen security, which the forum focused on, he said that citizens need better protection from various threats.

“So we must view security as an all-encompassing condition in which we have the freedom and peace to participate fully in the process of governance, (and) enjoy protection of fundamental rights”, he added.

He reiterated his position while speaking as a citizen. “I am simply stating that citizen security is the measure of state security, since the extent to which the people of Guyana can live in freedom and safety is the extent to which the state is secure”, Phillips added.

He said that persons would be aware that an increase in violent crime would certainly affect investments, including traditional investments from North America and Europe. But he noted that such crimes also affect investment by Guyanese who reside overseas and are returning to invest in the country.

“I am convinced that now is the time (for) both the private and public sectors to embrace the available security technology to improve (their security situation and) to ensure a safer working environment for employees”, he added.

Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Williams told the gathering that security indeed has its challenges, and he noted that the situation is becoming serious. He said that technology plays a key role in the operations of the security sector.

Speaking on the Police Force, he said the Force has established several systems which assist the body in carrying out its security mandate. These include mounted surveillance cameras along the roadways of the city; computer data used for analysis; and according to him, the Force has a computer operational centre in which ranks are undergoing training in the use of the computer.

“So we have been doing a lot of things as it relates to IT (information technology)”, he said, adding that the police are working along with other stakeholders on the smart city solutions project for the city of Georgetown.

President of the GCCI, Vishnu Doerga, told the gathering that security concerns continue to rank high as the barrier to local and foreign direct investment. He said the chamber organized the event on Friday as a means of empowering business owners and the public to be proactive in safeguarding themselves against criminal threats, and he noted that business owners are the prime targets of criminals.

He said the GCCI is recommending a review of the entire security sector, noting that, earlier in 2016, the body met with the head of the security sector and discussed the improvement of security in Guyana.

Doerga said that while there is much to be done regarding improvement of the sector, a complete removal of duty and value-added tax (VAT) on all security management products is needed. He said that duties on such products currently range from 20% to 25% and 30% in duties under different components, along with VAT. He said a reduction would make the products affordable and accessible.

Presenters at the forum noted the importance of securing one’s environment, while Head of the GEB Security Service, Maurice Amres, told the gathering that persons should prevent the movement of large sums of cash, as well as exercise caution regarding information on relatives who are visiting from overseas.