THE recent success of the police in the Bartica area must be commended. The citizens of that community were terrified after the horrific incident on February 17 last year. Obviously some predators thought it safe to prowl on that fear to extract whatever they could from those hardworking citizens.

Despite assurances from the police, many complained that nothing was being done to bring an end to the situation. They, I am sure, are relieved at the demise of the gang. The police have once again proven that they can deliver. They were obviously working in their own quiet way gathering the necessary intelligence information to terminate the activities of that group.

The police in Guyana have come a long way; their ability to investigate and track criminals has improved tremendously over the years. Many of the Caribbean countries are still waiting to get some of the successes that the Guyana Police Force has been getting following the upsurge in crime that followed the large number of criminal deportees from North America to the Region.

Ever since the crime spree in Guyana started, with the jail break in 2001, criticisms were levelled at the Guyana Police Force for what seemed to be their inability to regain control of the crime situation in Guyana.

Continued investment by Government in the training and equipping of the Police and the formation of the JSOG, the joint services group specially equipped and trained to hunt down dangerous criminals, have led to a rolling back of the criminal enterprises.

This success did not come cheaply. Many lives were lost in what was labelled by the opposition at one time as an armed resistance. They too have had to give credit to the police for the good work that they are doing.

Guyanese could once again feel safe in their homes and on the road as they go about their daily business. This is the Guyana we know; the security forces and the Government of Guyana should be complimented for restoring our society to some semblance of order and safety.
SEAN JUPITOR