– all crimes warrant serious attention, says Public Security Minister
PUBLIC Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan said everyone should be concerned about all categories of crime. Ramjattan was, at the time, responding to comments by Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, who, two Fridays ago, said he was not necessarily bothered about the crime situation.
“We should all be concerned about petty crime and big time crime and middle crime… whatever the crime,” the Public Security Minister said.
Ramjattan then sought to suggest that the comments of the top cop might have been misrepresented but was assured that the comments were a true representation of what the commissioner said.
“That is probably not the best and wisest of words in the context, especially knowing that you have Mr. Smith who is going to come and jump on you like you are jumping on me on this issue,” the minister said.
The police commissioner had said, “I am not necessarily bothered because I am saying that there are a few sensational crimes that are occurring ok; but we noted there might have been a spike but I am saying that in terms of serious crimes at the moment, we have a minus 3.4 per cent in serious crimes generally.” He gave the response when asked about the crime situation.
Responding to this comment, the minister said: “Ok, well good, crimes of all categories, we must all be concerned about, but what I am saying here is not to be used as contradicting; oh, minister fighting down the commissioner for a remark he made; that is what you press people feel you can do all the time,” the security minister said Thursday
Over the last few weeks, there have been a number of crimes, especially on unsuspecting persons. The Commissioner of Police did, however, assure reporters that the Force is addressing this issue.
Today, the Guyana Police Force Administration would be unveiling security measures for the upcoming Christmas season.