THE Ministry of Human Services and the Guyana Police Force have moved to address the issue of armed robberies at Post offices across the country and already there has been increased security presence and other security arrangements at some Post offices across the country.The Guyana Chronicle was informed that at some Post offices there is a police presence immediately after the monies for the payment of old age pensions and other social benefits are transported there for distribution.
The practice is evident in the police ‘C’ Division and, according to what this newspaper was told, police ranks will have a presence at the facilities for as long as two weeks to ensure that the peak period for the presence of the money at the facilities are catered for.
Speaking with one Police Divisional Commander on the issue of the increased security, the Officer said the arrangement in his Division would only be possible when the Post Office request such. However, he was not sure that any such request was made for such a police presence at any of the Post Offices within his Division.
On Wednesday, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Ms Jennifer Webster, told this publication that late last year after the spate of robberies, she had spoken to the Commissioner of Police (ag) Mr. Seelall Persaud on the issue of added security for the monies which are being deposited to the Post Offices for social benefit distributions.
According to the minister, the Top Cop indicated to her that he does not have enough ranks to facilitate such a process of having police officers present at every Post Office but there were other arrangements which can be put in place to ensure the safety of the cash and those handling the money, especially during the distribution and peak periods for pensions and other benefits.
“What I said to them at the end of last year is that we have to beef up the security at the facilities because every two mornings there is some robbery. When I spoke to the Commissioner of Police he said he does not have enough ranks,” Minister Webster said.
The minister added that what she has noticed is that at most of the Post Offices, there were very senior security personnel or watchmen or women who cannot really fend off armed persons who pounce on the Post Offices. She said the ministry would have to reach a cost at ensuring that the monies are protected.
“When I spoke with the ‘A’ Division Commander, he said it would not be a problem for his Division because they have standard operating procedures for the first week that the monies are placed at the Post Offices,” Minister Webster said.
The minister also expressed concern about the number of robberies since the monies are for payment to persons who would have served the country in one way or the other and the cash has to be protected because everytime it is stolen it’s a lost to the State and the State‘s revenue. In addition, it is the State that has to go and replenish it, she concluded.
The Soesdyke Post Office, Charlestown Post Office, Lamaha Street Post Office, Beterverwagting Post Office, Campbellville Post Office and Melanie Post Office were among the postal facilities that were robbed in the past. The robberies would usually record millions in cash losses when these incidents occur.
In addition, there have been cases where persons reported poor handling of the cash and its securing when it is remitted to some Post Offices.

(Leroy Smith)