The Commander of police ‘A’ Division, which has direct oversight of Georgetown and its environs, has assured all Mash Day float parade revelers and spectators next Monday that the police will have everything under control.Clifton Hicken, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday about the security arrangements for this period, assured that all aspects have been carefully examined even as small areas are being looked at to ensure that there are no loopholes.
Hicken noted that members of the public will see a heightened police presence at ‘hot spots’, including shopping areas and other commercial points. He also stated that there will be increases in the number of road blocks and stop and search exercises.
Regarding the latter two exercises, the senior police officer explained that it was observed that over the last few years whenever Guyana has a national event, there are instances of an upsurge in armed robberies, particularly by persons seeking extra cash to spend at special events.
The commander observed that the police would also look to ensure the safety of tourists, diplomats and government functionaries at the various events.
On Monday the police held a stakeholders meeting with the vendors and other business persons along Regent Street and Robb Street while on Tuesday they conducted a small walkabout along the Mash route to check on the positioning of various security personnel.
The issue of traffic was also mentioned by Hicken who was quick to point out that the traffic officer will advise the police public relations officer about the streets which are expected to be closed to vehicular traffic.
J’OUVERT

And referring to the annual J’ouvert, usually held on Merriman’s Mall in Georgetown, Hicken told the Guyana Chronicle that the event has been shifted to the Parade Ground.
He related that the decision was taken so the police could have better crowd control. It was reported that last year the situation following the conclusion of the event was not a “very nice experience”.
Meanwhile, ranks who are expected to be working on the road will be supervised by no less a rank than a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent or Cadet Officer who will be divided into sectors, Hicken added.
The police are also looking to have senior ranks at the starting point of the Mash parade.
In addition the Joint Services last Saturday conducted an in-depth search of the Camp Street jail prior to Mash Day.
This publication was reliably informed that items such as ice pickers, small amounts of illegal substances and other prohibited items were discovered inside the prison facility, either on prisoners or stashed at various points.
On February 23, 2002, Guyana experienced a jailbreak which saw five of the country’s most dangerous criminals escaping from the facility after killing a prison guard and seriously injuring another. The presence of the escapees on the streets saw a massive crime wave that swept across Guyana for several months, and which received international attention. Several countries then issued travel advisories to their nationals against travelling to Guyana.
The crime wave saw several execution-type murders, stabbings, robberies, attacks on police stations, and other criminal activities which in essence almost crippled Guyana and its economy. Businessmen were also targeted.
The men were subsequently killed in confrontations with lawmen or other criminal elements.
By Leroy Smith