–with launch of ‘Impact Albouystown’ project

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF), in collaboration with Heavenly Light Full Gospel Fellowship and Masjid An-Najm Social Centre of Albouystown, has launched ‘Impact Albouystown’ project,which, through law enforcement and social interventions, is intended to make the neighbourhood safer.Through this project, youths of the Albouystown community will have the opportunity to empower themselves through training in areas such as denial of criminal role model, computer training, job creation, workforce

development, clean and healthy environment, vocational skills, drug demand reduction, violence avoidance, literacy training, electrical installation, refrigeration, and counselling.

Other activities include art and craft, theatre arts, music and steel pan training, and basketball, football, table tennis, cricket and volleyball.

Speaking at the event, launched at Independence Boulevard in Albouystown, Acting Police Commissioner, Mr Seelall Persaud said the GPF has been establishing similar projects in a number of targeted areas. He said these projects were developed based on analysis that youths between the ages of 16 and 30 constitute the majority of persons involved in serious crimes; therefore, the GPF has formulated a strategy to work — in partnership with the joint services, Government and non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, the private sector and community leaders — to ensure that the neighbourhoods are safe, and programmes are implemented to target youths.

Mr Persaud also said that heavy emphasis would be placed on gun crimes in the Albouystown community, domestic and gender-based violence, illegal drugs, and youth gangs; besides environmental crimes, truancy, vocational skills training, and addressing the material and physical needs of residents.

The GPF has selected Albouystown because, according to police analysis, the community is the most challenged at this time. “To the people of Albouystown…this is your time. Your fortune is a safe, decent, respectable and productive community, where parents will be proud of their children and where children will look up to their parents as role models. So come, work with us and your community leaders to deliver this fortune,” the police commissioner urged.

An area was also earmarked to construct a playground, and computers and garbage bins were donated to the community.

The Guyana Police Force has embarked on a project to create a number of “Safe Neighbourhoods”, and has been collaborating with other stakeholders in this regard. The project is intended to develop better community/police relations, and specific focus will be placed on youths in many of these neighbourhoods. Some of the areas of focus include the Community Action Component of the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), the Cops and Faith Community Network, the House of Justice programme, and establishment of scouts and youth groups in communities.

(GINA)