Hicken urges businesses to strengthen infrastructure, install security cameras

BUSINESSES in Greater Georgetown should take steps to strengthen their physical infrastructure, including the mounting of high definition Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security cameras, says ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken.

The Senior Superintendent made the call Wednesday when he, along with his high command, met with the business community at ‘A’ Division Headquarters, Brickdam Police Station, Georgetown.

Among the senior police officers at the meeting were the deputy commander, traffic officer, crime officer, impact programme commander, impact programme coordinator and the sub-divisional officer 1.

In Hicken’s explanation, in layman’s terms, he told the businessmen and women that it made absolutely no sense for them to have a business place, generate profits, and after completing their operations for the day, someone could just show up and break into the premises without a challenge.

In highlighting the importance of strengthening the infrastructure at business places, the commander pointed out that if someone is to attempt a break-in at a building, the strong infrastructure will delay them, making it more likely that the perpetrators could be caught in the act, particularly if timely information reaches the police.

Hicken told the business community that with the moderniSation programme, the police are working to engage the community in a more meaningful and effective way. He said further that the Guyana Police Force is not in the business of dealing with crime in a confrontational manner, unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

INTER-AGENCY APPROACH
He explained too that the fight against crime has to be one which adopts an inter-agency approach and that is the direction in which the police force is moving.
According to the commander, the new security posture with the Police ‘A’ Division will be ineffective if they are unaware of the measures being taken by the business community to curb crime.
According to Hicken, the two areas which should be of importance to the business community regarding a new security posture are the strengthening of their infrastructure and the mounting of high definition Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.
He said that in relation to the CCTV cameras, the business community can determine if they would prefer the monitors to be placed at ‘A’ Division headquarters, Brickdam, Force Headquarters, Eve Leary, or some other place agreed upon by them.
The commander noted that the installation of CCTV cameras that are of high quality will serve to deter persons with criminal intentions. Hicken was, however, firm on the ever present issue of CCTV cameras which provide footage that are of little use in trying to identify perpetrators because of poor video resolution.

He also emphasised that persons should not walk around with large sums of cash without adequate security provision. He also reminded that all businessmen and women need to do is inform the police of their intention to transport large sums of cash or to be engaged in such transactions at their business place.

Hicken said that with the new security posture which is being adopted across the board by the police divisions, it is expected that within a certain time frame the police would be able to bring the instances of crime down by twenty percent in each area. However, it is the firm belief among the management of the Police ‘A’ Division that the new approach would only be effective with the involvement of the business community.

However, Hicken pointed out that the police are in no way dictating the way persons should conduct their businesses but merely advising on the way forward regarding better practices to prevent losses through crime.

He also called on the business operators not to get into conflicts with junior police ranks but if there is ever an issue which is not being handled by the rank at the time, the matter should be immediately reported.

TARGETTED AREAS
In the meantime, the police are aiming to target the areas along South Road, Croal Street, Regent Street, North Road, Robb Street, South Road, Church Street and Camp Street as part of the new security posture. And the mobile numbers of the ‘A’ Division senior officers were also shared with members of the business community.

The business community was told also that the initiative to meet with them was just the first of a series of meetings to be held with other stakeholders, including the faith-based organisations, community policing groups, station management committees and security companies, among others.

(By Leroy Smith)