THE Community Policing Group (CPG) in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, which has not been fully active for several years, has been reactivated.
Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Clement Rohee, who met members of the group at his ministry Monday evening, said the government was committed to supporting CPGs as a matter of policy; as they are considered to be an integral part of its crime fighting strategy.
The group was initially established in 1993 with 11 members.
Chairman of the group, Mr. Godfrey Washington, said that as a result of the group’s inactivity, precepts that were given to them on how to execute the task of community policing were withdrawn. Additionally, due to the 2001 jailbreak and the subsequent crime wave many members became fearful and eventually opted out of the group, he said.
Rohee expressed his appreciation to the members in responding to the call to revive the group and said that their struggle to maintain a presence in the community was admirable.
“We encourage CPGs to remain as active as they can in the execution of their responsibilities,” he said.
The minister assured that his ministry will try its utmost best to restore what was once a very vibrant group and said the government does not encourage the formation  of CPGs and leave them to struggle on their own.
“We give them our best support so that they can maintain a presence in an effort to create safer communities”, he said.
He also pointed out that in some parts of Georgetown where the City Council has not been carrying out its functions effectively the government, through the Home Affairs Ministry, has been providing CPGs with the necessary tools and equipment to keep communities clean.
This, he said, is the community-oriented aspect of community policing that is expected and welcomed by residents.  
The group will be exploring the possibility of merging with the Roxanne Burnham Gardens CPG in a joint effort to police the area.
Recently, the minister met members of the Lodge CPG and emphasised the need for residents to become more involved in matters relating to their own safety.
CPGs assist the police in law enforcement and protecting communities.