–expresses satisfaction with level of children’s interaction

THE Guyana Police Force had expected to have 175 children graduate from its 2014 children’s camp this Friday, but the number of children at the camp declined within two days.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday afternoon during an impromptu visit with Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud, Senior Superintendent Maxine Graham explained that some of the children had to leave after falling ill while others were not accustomed to the camp life.
Graham said that the children who were not accustomed to camp life were crying continuously and their parents were assisted by the Guyana Police Force to travel to the location and receive them. Then there were those who fell ill and could no longer remain at the campsite since they had to seek medical attention. However, the police ensured that the flu was not transmitted to other children on camp.

The camp does have medical personnel on site and those children who complained of feeling unwell were initially seen by the camp nurse before being taken back to the city.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud who is performing the duties of Commissioner of Police, on Tuesday had lunch with the children and the camp supervisors.
In his review of the camp, Persaud said that he was very pleased with the level of interaction and camaraderie among the children who are all of different ethnicities and religions and come from various backgrounds.
He said that the relationships being exhibited at the camp is exactly what the police force is fostering to ensure that the nation has less conflict and more cooperation, especially among the young people.
Commissioner Balram Persaud said that the force is working very hard to give guidance to the young people and not to have them fleeing when police officers are spotted.
Meanwhile the security at the camp site remains intact and very rigid. However in its efforts not to intimidate the children, the security personnel are not

carrying their firearms openly and are all dressed in civilian clothes.
On Friday the camp will come to an end with a formal ceremony and during the day and at night there will be a huge camp fire before the children leave on Saturday morning.
In addition items which the children were able to create during their stint will be on display. On Tuesday the latter half of the day was more of a free day where they were allowed to play games of their choice under supervision.
ACP Persaud during his visit on Tuesday toured the facility where he checked on the condition under which the children were sleeping, learning and playing. He specifically asked Coordinator Graham if the children were “well fed” to which she responded in the positive.

(By Leroy Smith)