-Minister Rohee orders investigation
FOLLOWING several complaints from residents of Goed Fortuin, Region Three, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee yesterday visited the area and instructed the police of D’ Division to conduct a concerted, three-month campaign in order to effectively address the law and order issues plaguing the community. Residents were given the opportunity to air their concerns. These included noise nuisance, speeding and stray animals and other traffic hazards on the roadways.
There were also concerns expressed about the proliferation of drugs, homosexual activities, rum drinking, the education system and lawlessness that is leading to the deterioration of the youth population. The lack of coordination between the two existing Community Policing Groups (CPGs) was also expressed.
Minister Rohee, in his response, expressed his disappointment in members of the CPGs who are reportedly acting contrary to the laws.
“Once we carry out investigations and find that members of CPGs are involved in skullduggery, we will deal with them,” Minister Rohee assured.
Moreover, the Ministry will be engaging women and youths in a two-day conference in September to highlight their roles and responsibilities in community development, particularly as it relates to security.
The Minister explained that these two groups are very important in the process of enhancing public safety. He added too that there are very few complaints about women in CPGs; the bulk of the complaints involve male members.
With respect to drugs, the Minister said that “our laws in Guyana, insofar as narcotics is concerned, include a zero-tolerance policy and those who are responsible for law enforcement have to follow those laws.”
As it relates to noise nuisance, Divisional Commander Balram Persaud lamented that residents are not assisting the police with the relevant information that would ensure that such offenders are prosecuted.
In light of this, the Commander was instructed by the Minister to confiscate the equipment used to play amplified music.
The Minister also urged members of the CPGs to be more proactive in conducting their patrols and collaborating more with the residents.
Further, a team from the Home Affairs Ministry will be working with the police to investigate the basis of the internal issues that have led to the festering of the co-operation between the two CPGs.(GINA)