I RECENTLY came across a story titled, “Felix decries sloth in Crime Stoppers’ Programme”.
For the benefit of readers, I wish to set the record straight.
When I arrived at the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2006, the Crime Stoppers Programme was already being pursued by my predecessor, Gail Teixeira. However, from all indications the process for one reason or another had ground to a halt.
Felix was the Commissioner of Police at that time, I did not find any documented views from the then Commissioner now politician, on the subject. If there is, it is not readily available. However, I discerned that at the time there was some reluctance to the concept on the part of the Leadership of the Force.  Mr. Felix had enough time on his hand to help realize the Programme. He didn’t.
After acquainting myself with the facts and all the background information on the matter, I took a decision to jump start the process once again.
I convened a meeting with the Private Sector, both the Private Sector Commission and the Chambers of Commerce were represented; the police was also present at the meeting. The turnout was extremely encouraging.
Government’s acceptance of the concept was made known, and both sides agreed to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs to get the Crime Stoppers’ on the road.
A small team was set up involving exclusively Private Sector representatives; Mr. Gouveia was part of that process.
This was an attempt on my part to ensure that the Private Sector was the principal drivers of the Crime Stoppers’ Programme in Guyana.
The Committee identified one of its representatives to be its Focal Point with whom the Ministry of Home Affairs would work to push the paper work required to formalize the establishment of the Organisation. In this regard, this individual must be commended for the work he did single handedly.

Crime Stoppers was legally registered; office space was identified, the police identified its Point of Contact and a civilian was identified to coordinate the efforts of the key players on Crime Stoppers Programme.
At a meeting with former President Jagdeo, the Programme was assured of Government’s support and a financial contribution was promised, knowing that the bulk of the resources required were to come from the Private Sector. However, nothing materialised from the Private Sector and the Programme ground to a halt once again.
Mr. Felix demonstrates his unfamiliarity with the aims and objectives of the Programme when he said that:

“Crime Stoppers can be in areas that require more community presence, it can go in areas where the police can’t.”

This is a reflection of his lack of knowledge of the operational aspects of the Crime Stoppers’ Programme.
I suggest he browse the internet at www.crimestoppers.com
It may be of help to him.
As for Mr. Gouveia, for him to state that “there is a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Minister of Home Affairs” and that “the Ministry of Home Affairs needs stronger leadership to initiate the process” is to mislead the public by distorting the facts.
Recently, the National Commission on Law and Order (NCLO) discussed this matter once again; Mr Ramesh Dookhoo and Mr Kamal Ramnauth were present and   participated in the discussion on the subject.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to push to have Crime Stoppers established in Guyana. However, the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce have to step up to the plate as their counterparts in other jurisdictions have done.

Unless this is done, the Crime Stoppers’ Programme in Guyana will perish and it will be the Private Sector in Guyana who will bear full responsibility for its failure to get off the ground.