Vyphuis outlines Christmas policing strategy to counter crime
THE Commander, Assistant Commissioner George Vyphuis yesterday reported that, since the introduction of the Christmas policing patrols in ‘A’ Division, there has been a reduction in crimes, especially in the city. He said the patrols are very effective and work in tandem, with motorcycles and other motor vehicles, mostly out of Tactical Services Unit (TSU).

Vyphuis said there has been a noticeable pattern in most crimes committed on the outskirts of the city and criminals are targeting small businesses, in what he called ‘soft targets.’
He explained that the beat system, for which booths are manned by ranks who patrol city wards, especially shopping areas, is supervised by officers.

The strategy, rolled out last month for November 15 to January 15, is to ensure that citizens undertake their activities in a safe environment, Vyphuis said.

He pointed out that there are increased commercial activities in the capital and its environs and, as such, more vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the intention of the Police is to reduce crimes and traffic accidents and congestion.

Vyphuis said methods being employed include enhanced confidence within the commercial sectors and shopping public, tourist and overseas based returning Guyanese visitors, heightened special operations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Intelligence Section at the banks, heightened patrols around the city, Georgetown Prison, hotels, night spots and post offices.

According to him, special attention will be paid to noise nuisance and the establishment of an addition, the Marine Section at Supply, East Bank Demerara.
He said Georgetown has been divided into five sectors in order to adequately police it and its environs and all will be commanded by a Cadet Officer and an Inspector.

ADDITIONAL METHODS
Vyphuis noted that additional methods include foot, mobile, booths, canine, mounted, anti-crime, riverine, and aberdeen patrols, raids and searches and roadblocks.
Section One spawns Camp Street on the East, Demerara River on the West, the Seawall to the North and Hadfield Street on the South, the primary commercial section of the city, which also includes the official residences of the President and Prime Minister, Government Ministries, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Magistrates’ Courts, Public Buildings, major hotels, hospitals, Guyana Power &Light (GPL) power station, sea ports, banks, restaurants and night spots.

Vyphuis said, to adequately police this sector, six booths will be strategically placed to heighten Police presence and facilitate quick access for reporting incidents and strengthening public confidence.

He said there will also be 16 beats covered by ‘A’ Division and the TSU, vehicular, mounted and canine patrols. 

Section Two is bordered by Camp Street on the East, Demerara River on the West, Hadfield Street on the North and Independence Boulevard on the South.

Within it are many hardware stores, lumber yards, hotels, transit sheds and a municipal market and, during this period, large numbers of citizens visit those places to collect personal effects from the transit sheds and to make purchases of hardware materials and lumber to do renovations to their homes.

Vyphuis said policing arrangements there will consist of two booths and three beats and vehicular patrols would be intensified during the hours of business.

The borders of Section Three are Vlissengen Road (East), Camp Street (West), Seawall (North) and Croal Street (South), where there are many Government Ministries, Office of the President, Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), three private hospitals, Georgetown Prison, Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), National Park, Botanical Gardens and Zoological Park, the major telecommunications network and residential areas. 

Policing in that section will consist of two booths and six beats, with intensified vehicular patrols by day and night. 

Section Four, with perimeters to the East (Vlissengen Road), West (Camp Street/Russell Street), North (South Road) and South (Princes Street), is populated by a large number of small businesses and includes Le Repentir Cemetery, all to be policed by intensified vehicular patrols.

MAJOR CONCERN
Section Five, within Sheriff Street (East), Vlissengen Road (West), Seawall (North) and Duncan Street (South) is now of major concern, due to the shift and expansion of businesses, the main ones in Sheriff Street and policing there will consist of six beats and intensified vehicular and mounted patrols, with special emphasis on residential areas and new shopping centres, Vyphuis said.  

He said foot patrols will be adjusted, between December 22 and 24 and December 29 and 31, to accommodate late shopping and will be done from 07:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs daily.

Vyphuis said mobile patrols will be done in motor vehicles and on motorcycles by ‘A’ Division, TSU and Sub-Divisions Two, Three and Four, concentrating throughout the city and its environs with special emphasis around shopping centres and residential areas and surroundings.

He said the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Number Two Sub-Division will place special emphasis on Grove/Diamond and Kaneville Housing Scheme.

His counterpart in Number Three Sub-Division will do likewise in other areas of interest and Sundays and holidays along the Georgetown Seawall.

The OC in Sub-Division Four will ensure that the itinerary of flights into Guyana is provided for guidance, so that patrols along this corridor would also operate in keeping with the flight schedules, simultaneously ensuring that patrols are conducted within his jurisdiction.

Vyphuis said mounted patrols will be done from 08:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs on Water, Regent and Robb Streets, Stabroek Market Area, Guyhoc and Bel Air Park.

The Canine and Mounted patrols will report to Operations Room, Brickdam, before leaving and, periodically, on the situation within their respective areas.