THE constant criticism of the government’s ability to control the crime rate in Guyana is absolutely misconstrued.

Over the years and just recently after the 2009 budget, a total of $13.6B was allocated towards the security sector, which is being used to upgrade community policing, training, and upgrading and purchasing of vehicles and other military equipment.

I admit that after the jailbreak on February 23, 2002, there was a rapid increase in criminal activities. However, from that time to present, the strides made by the armed forces with the support of the government are indeed commendable in stabilizing crime in the country.

The police are more effectively mobilised to combat criminal activities than they were 10 years ago, and this should be recognized especially by Guyanese living abroad.

Recently in a newspaper, there was a comment made by a Guyanese woman living in Barbados, that crime in Guyana was the reason behind her migration to Barbados. It is because of negative statements like this that erroneously gave Guyana the stigma of being “crime central” in the Caribbean.

It should also be realised that crime is not unique to Guyana, it is a global phenomenon. In fact, crime rate in sister countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad far surpasses that of Guyana.

The reality of the matter is that crime will continue to be a thriving practice so long as a country is inhabited by human beings. Criminal activities originated by people and can only be ended by people. A lot has been said of prostitution being the oldest profession, but that remains debatable, since I strongly believe that professional criminals dated way back before prostitution.
L. BROWN