Reduced incidents of certain crimes in 2011
– 2% drop in recorded murders, 5% decrease in traffic offences
THE Guyana Police Force disclosed that incidents of certain crimes were reduced for the period January 1 to October 31 2011, as compared to the corresponding period in 2010.

Incidents of murder recorded a 2% drop, from 115 last year to 113 this year, the GPF said in a statement on Monday.

Of the murders committed, 44 were classified disorderly, 23 were domestic related, 19 resulted from armed robberies, and five were execution type.
Disorderly murders increased by 21%, and domestic-related murders by 19%; but execution type murders and those committed during armed robberies fell by 58% and 10% respectively.

Robbery under arms recorded a 14% increase during the period under review. 627 such robberies were committed in 2010, compared with 717 for 2011. Armed robberies involving firearms increased by 4% in 2011, and those not involving firearms increased by 42%

There were 98 traffic offences recorded for the period January 01 to October 31, 2011, compared to 103 for the corresponding period last year. This represents a 5% decrease in this categorization.
However, 10 children have lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2011, compared to six at this time last year. Moreover, 36 pedestrians and 18 pedal cyclists perished on the roadways for 2011.
Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol have been blamed for the majority of these fatal accidents. The Guyana Police Force said it is maintaining its rigid enforcement of road safety rules, and will continue to employ the use of breathalysers, radar guns and traffic education in this regard.

As at the end of October 2011, a total of 52,368 cases were made against errant motorists; 10,487 were for speeding and 919 for driving under the influence of alcohol.
To date(November 2011), four more persons have lost their lives in traffic accidents. These occurred at De Willem, WCD; Mandela Avenue, Georgetown; and Houston Public Road, EBD.  

National Road Safety Month is being observed during November 2011 under the theme “Drive wise and save lives”. During this period, a number of activities aimed at improving safety on the roadways have been programmed through the coordinated efforts of the Guyana Police Force, the National Road Safety Council and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

These include live call-in media programmes, Road Safety talks through the media, distribution of Road Safety flyers countrywide, Road Safety lectures to schools, enhancing School Road Safety Patrols, refurbishing of road markings and repainting of pedestrian crossings, seminars for drivers of public transportation, and a one-day mini exhibition and symposium for schools, to be held at the National Stadium.