MEASURES are being implemented to deal with the apparent recent “spike” in crimes, by introducing immediate steps across the country, according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon. At his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, at the Ministry of the Presidency, he said that Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan is working with the Guyana Police Force to address the issue through various steps. “Increased number of patrols particularly in divisions ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’, resources previously identified for community policing groups will be directed towards the central task of crime fighting by the Guyana Police Force,” the minister explained as some of the steps to be taken.
Where police ranks were engaged in business not central to the “core functions of the police force”, they will be removed and put on the street to ensure that there are more “boots on the street”. This move will ensure better response and reaction to emergency calls and result in a more efficient police force, Minister Harmon stressed.
“We have to ensure that we provide Guyanese with the atmosphere of security that they require”.
Minister Ramjattan, who is also a Vice-President, has informed Cabinet of his decision to spend at least two days in Berbice, visiting stations, meeting and talking to police ranks and ensuring that they are provided with the necessary resources to fight crime, including piracy endemic to Berbice.
According to Minister Harmon, his Cabinet colleague is “coming down from the east, all the way to the west” as he personally engages police ranks at stations and outposts across the country.  (GINA)