THE recent criminal activities on the West Coast of Demerara has impacted on the community of Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara)and the Guyana Police Force is working to ensure that instances of crime are significantly reduced in the community.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud yesterday  told residents and other members of the community of Met-en-Meerzorg that  it was vital for information to be passed on to the police regarding those who are bent on criminal pursuits. He also observed that following the criminal activities in the region, there are those who believe that a criminal gang had been dismantled.
He added that prior to the robbery and killing of Vicky Namdar two weeks ago and the intensive hunt that saw the capture of two criminals and the shooting to death of one, the region has been doing fairly well regarding instances of robbery compared to the other communities.
The Crime Chief made the comments during an outreach yesterday in Region 3 at the Met-en-Meerzorg Primary School which was attended by Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, Assistant Commissioner Eric Bassant, and Deputy Commander of the Division Clifton Hicken.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Mr. Persaud told the residents that in order for there to be prevention of crimes or its decrease within communities, there needs to be information coming from persons within the communities as well as those who know persons who may be involved in illegal activities.
He said that the Police Force is handicapped without any information from the residents with respect to crime fighting since their information is extremely vital. He cited the two recent criminal activities in the region and the one in Wakenaam which led to the capture of several persons, some of whom have already passed through the court system.
Yesterday’s meeting saw the commissioner and the crime chief and other senior ranks taking questions and listening to concerns of the residents of the community. There was also a call for the powers that be to confirm the Acting Police Commissioner of Police in the position.

PRAISE FOR OUTREACH
The Force came in for high praise by all those present for the outreach initiative and pointed out that the community has long been awaiting such an encounter. Despite being given short notice of the meeting the auditorium was packed to capacity with persons turning out to hear about the police crime fighting plan for the community.
The meetings will continue throughout the region and will be spearheaded by the week-old Commander Eric Bassant backed by his Deputy Clifton Hicken who also received the community’s praise for his tactical approach in dealing with crime and moreso his work with members of the community policing groups across the country.
The commissioner called on his other Divisional Commanders to arrange similar meetings which allow for better interaction between the police and the community.
Among the issues raised yesterday were nightly roadblocks. The commissioner said that road blocks are sanctioned by the commanders or their deputies and once those roadblocks are sanctioned, they are done in good faith and all parties present at the roadblocks should be properly attired and organised.
The use and abuse of firearms and confusion between the policing groups and their functions and boundaries compared to that of police ranks were also up for discussion. The traffic situation and drinking and driving were also issues of intense focus.