COMMISSIONER of Police, Mr Seelall Persaud and ‘A’ Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken yesterday conducted a walkabout at Agricola, where they met with residents and listened to their concerns.The two top-ranking police officers were accompanied around the community by Deputy Commander of ‘A’ Division, Mr Dion Moore and the Sub-Divisional officers who all turned out to witness the recommissioning of the Agricola Community Centre Ground which was developed by the Guyana Police Force with help from several partners.

Following his walkabout, the Top Cop was asked by this newspaper about the issues and concerns which were raised by the residents.
However, he was quick to point out that the residents did not indicate that they had any major problem, although this might have been due to fact that it was the first time he was interacting with them at the community level.
Seelall noted that he is aware that Commander Hicken does have a very good relationship with the community, and that the residents would from time to time share their concerns with him. Those concerns, he said, would usually be passed on to the administration of the Force.
Following his walkabout, the Commissioner of Police addressed residents at a simple ceremony to recommission the Community Centre ground, during which he called on them to ensure that they maintain the facility, and allow it to be used in a proper manner.
He reminded those in attendance that the Force started out on a social intervention approach to crime prevention, and it was found that while law enforcement can deal with the issues of crime, it cannot deal with it comprehensively, hence the need to have social intervention.
He made reference to the projects which have been ongoing in Albouystown, which was the pilot project. Seelall said that looking at the history of Agricola, the police force and the community ought to see the need and importance of the partnership which they enjoy at present as communities are shaped by what the residents within them do or do not do.
He made reference to the community leaders and the decision of the force to focus its community based partnerships by engaging the religious leaders, then moving to work with the business sector who has been assisting the community with related projects.

The Top Cop charged Agricola residents to utilise the ground to have many competitions and ensure that it never gets back to the state it was before the rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Commander Hicken, in brief remarks, noted how very pleased he was with the interactions between the police force and the Agricola community. He also pointed to the need for a feedback mechanism to allow the police and the community to become aware of where additional focus is needed.