-at re-commencement of Law & Order consultation
MINISTER of Home Affairs Clement Rohee on Tuesday last reiterated that all citizens have a key role to play with regards to law and order issues.
He made this statement during a Law and Order consultation exercise held at the Patentia Secondary School, West Bank Demerara.
Among the gathering were Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faerber, Vice-Chairman Manpersaud, members of the Commission-Mr Seewchan, Mr. Ramesh Sugrim, Mr. Derek Thakur and Divisional Commander Mr. Christopher Griffith.
“The police and other law enforcement agencies cannot do it all alone. The Guyana Police Force cannot succeed if they do not have the support of the community,” Rohee declared.
Noting that laws are made as a result of government’s understanding of the needs of the people, Rohee posited that greater collaboration among all stakeholders will reduce the incidence of crime.
He stated that Guyana and the world in general require an atmosphere of peace and stability where people can work and play in tranquility and observed that development can only take place when public safety and security are guaranteed.
During the discussions a number of issues were raised from the floor. These include the slothful response by police, noise nuisance, road side Bar B Q, the presence of young children at night clubs, speeding motor vehicles, gambling and road side rum shops.
In response he urged that parents and guardians exercise more diligence in curbing some of these issues which he called “social ills” of society.
On the question of slothfulness by the police Rohee noted that government has been spending huge sums of monies to equip the law enforcement agencies. But he quickly pointed out that the question of management of the resources is always a part of the equation.
With regards to road side Bar B Q, gambling and road side rum shops the minister said that local agencies like the NDC’s and CDC’s have to play a more proactive role.
He informed that very soon the relevant authority would be clamping down on night clubs which allow young children on their premises. “Their licenses would be taken away and their businesses would be closed”, Rohee offered.
In regard to noise nuisance the minister reminded the audience that his ministry took a huge step by placing advertisements in the media informing the public of the provisions in the statutes.
“When all is said and done the citizens of every community have a sacred responsibility to provide authentic information to the police who must act responsibly…there is no room for excuses then”, he stressed.