THE festive season of Christmas brings along with it increased commercial activities and in order to prevent crimes during this period, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has special plans in place for the period November 15, 2014 to January 2015.Speaking at a presentation yesterday, at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Head of Law Enforcement Mr. Leslie James noted that the objectives of the security plan are to minimise criminal activities, traffic congestion and make the city of Georgetown safe for visitors, citizens and shoppers during the Christmas season.

The Force will be increasing its patrols using its motor vehicles and bikes, along with its various ranks, and strategically-placed manned booths and conduct security operations as part of security measures.
According to Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken, this traditional policing arrangement will target increased commercial activities around the city and the inevitable increase in traffic congestion.

MANNING BY SECTORS

To ensure adequate policing of the city, Hicken pointed out that Georgetown will be divided into five sectors, each will be supervised by a Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent assisted by a Cadet Officer and an adequate number of ranks.
Section one which covers North – Seawall, South – Hadfield Street, East – Camp Street and West – Demerara River, comprises primarily the commercial sector around the city.
Section two which comprises North – Hadfield Street, South – Punt Trench Dam, East -Camp Street and West – the Demerara River -contains many hardware stores, lumber yards, hotels and municipal markets. This area will be covered by vehicle patrols, as well ranks on foot.
Sector three contains to the North – Seawall, South -Croal Street, East-Vlissengen Road and West-Camp Street.
Section four’s boundaries are North – South Road, South- Princes Street, East-Vlissengen Road and West-Camp Street/Russell Street, and these will be policed by vehicular patrols.
Section five caters for North-Seawall Road, South-Princes Street, East-Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue and West-Vlissingen Road.
Ranks who will be policing the areas on foot will be working on a four-hour shift to avoid officers from being overworked. Foot Patrols will be done between 06:00hrs to 10:00hrs / 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs /12:00hrs to 16:00hrs/15:00 hrs to 20:00hrs daily. During the period December 22 to 24, and 29 to 31, the foot patrol times will be adjusted to accommodate late shopping.
Meanwhile, motor cycles and vehicular patrols will be done on a 24-hour basis on 12- hourly shifts.
Emphasis will also be placed on noise nuisance and public crime tips will be disseminated by the force.

HEIGHTENED PATROLS AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Arrangements have been made to conduct special operations around the banks, hotels and night spots, post offices, and business entities around the city by the Criminal Investigation Department (C.I.D) and Intelligence Section according to the commander.
The patrols will concentrate on the Upper East Bank and around Georgetown with special interest on hot spots and the Georgetown prisons, and the Stabroek and Bourda Markets. These patrols will also enforce snap road blocks and stop and search exercises. Individuals are asked to comply with these exercises as they are only in the interest of the people with regards to crime fighting.

Hicken also noted that Community Policing Groups under the supervision of the police will conduct mobile patrols in the areas of Alberttown/Queenstown, Alexander Village, and East La Penitence among other locations.
Marine patrols will be done daily in Timehri by the One Balahoo. This vessel will patrol the Demerara River from Land of Canaan to Dora, while in Ruimveldt the One Balahoo will coordinate their patrols with West Demerara from the mouth of the Demerara River to Garden of Eden.
TRAFFIC
Traffic Officer, Hugh Denhert, during his presentation noted that traffic patrol will be conducted on a 24- basis through beat patrols, fixed duty points, motor cycle and motor car patrols and crash truck patrol.
He added that traffic patrol will be intensified on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Old Year’s Day/Night.
Denhert also noted that while there has been a decrease in accidents in the serious, minor and damage categories, the 2014 figures for fatalities have increased when compared to the previous year.
The gathering at the ceremony included Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud along with other senior ranks and individuals from the business community. (GINA)