THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) last Friday called on the relevant authorities to pay greater attention to the rise in the crime rate, so as to “stamp out the menace from our midst.”

“While we recognise that our law enforcement personnel are hard-pressed by today’s criminal enterprise, we hold the view that much can be done within the existing parameters to make a greater positive impact on crime fighting,” FITUG said in a press statement.
According to FITUG, media reports over the past few weeks have indicated that the country is experiencing yet another spike in the crime situation, which has raised concerns in various sectors of the population.
FITUG said that, as a social phenomenon, crime has a global presence and everywhere is posing challenges to all societies but it must not lull us into a state of acceptance in our lives. Indeed, the maximum knowledge of this menace ought to require the appropriate security bodies primarily to fashion effective and enduring responses.
Therefore, according to the statement, the systems which are effective and give assurances to communities like the patrol systems too often become irregular and lose its effects.
“The situation today again calls for an increase and intense police activities to be pursued within our legal framework…More activities, to be sure, would require resources, and training, with this in mind, we would support at this time that the Ministry of Public Security would make reasonable resources as required available,” FITUG said.
This ministry may additionally want to take initiatives beyond law-enforcement to complement the policing efforts. Importantly, the workable efforts must be sustained and not be employed in fits and starts.
FITUG said further that its concern over the crime situation stems from the anxieties it is causing in the various layers of the society, including among its membership and their families. Such concerns can only aggravate the oppressive climate in which many must live.
Moreover, “we are of the firm view that no society can promote national development to the fullest if the population feels insecure.”
NATIONAL EFFORT
Guyanese homes and businesses must always be safe havens, as the prevalence of crime can very well discourage investment, local and foreign. Seemingly, crime is widespread and may require a national effort today.
FITUG stressed that it stands ready to offer its assistance in crime prevention and crime-fighting. “We have high expectations that the perpetrators of crimes will be brought to justice and that soon we will see the unmistakable indications that the situation has significantly improved,” the FITUG statement added.