-Impact Projectlaunched
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with Heavenly Light Full Gospel Fellowship and Masjid An-Najm Social Centre of Albouystown on Friday launched ‘Impact Albouystown’ project, the first of its kind, which through law enforcement and social interventions, is intended to make the neighbourhood safe.

Through this project, youths of the Albouystown community will have the opportunity to empower themselves through training in areas such as, denial of criminal role model, computer training, job creation, workforce development, clean and healthy environment, vocational skills, drug demand reduction, violence avoidance, literacy training, electrical installation and refrigeration and counselling. Other activities include art and craft, theatre arts, music and steel pan training, basketball, football, table tennis, cricket and volleyball.
Speaking at the event which was launched at Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Commissioner of Police (acting) Seelall Persaud said the Force has been establishing similar projects in several targeted areas, which were developed based on analysis that youths between the ages of 16 and 30 form the large majority of serious crimes.

Therefore, he said that the force’s strategy is to work in partnership with the joint services, governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious bodies, the private sector and the community leaders to ensure that the neighbourhoods are safe and programmes are implemented to target youths.
Persaud added that heavy emphasis will be placed on gun crimes in the Albouystown community, domestic and gender- based violence, illegal drugs, youth gangs and environmental crimes, truancy, vocational skills training and addressing material and physical needs of residents.
The Force selected Albouystown because based on analysis, the community is the most challenging at present.
“To the people of Albouystown…this is your time, your fortune is a safe decent, respectable and productive community where parents will be proud of their children and where children will look up to their parents as role models, so come work with us and your community leaders to deliver this fortune,” Persaud urged.
An area was also earmarked to construct a playground, and computers and garbage bins were donated to the community.
The Guyana Police Force has been embarking on several “Safe Neighbourhood” projects, and had been collaborating with other stakeholders in this regard.
These projects are intended to develop better community/police relations, many of which have a specific focus in the youths. Some of these programmes include the Community Action Component of the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), the Cops and Faith Community Network, House of Justice programme and establishment of scouts and youth groups in communities. (GINA)