THE message was clear. “We are going to make sure that this country is safe and whoever commits crimes, or help in planning them, or are helping in the execution, that you are all part of a criminal enterprise and we are going to get at you,” declared Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.According to Minister Harmon, law-abiding citizens can be assured that the security forces are working around the clock to guarantee and ensure their safety. The Minister was at the time addressing the media at his weekly post cabinet press briefing, at the Ministry of the Presidency.
He warned criminals “Watch it! We have you on the run and we are going to follow you up wherever you are.”

Minister Harmon was at the time responding to questions on whether the Government is concerned about the revelations made by Shawn Hinds who has confessed to being part of a ‘death squad,’ allegedly receiving instructions from officials at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force.

“As a Government we would have to pursue those statements that were made by Mr. Hinds. But, I would encourage Mr. Hinds to come into us and provide some more information. The State apparatus will be interested in following up the leads more aggressively and to ask him some additional questions,” Minister Harmon said.

According to the Minister of State, Hinds revelations fit right into the approach of the Administration in crime fighting, by seeking and going after the intellectual authors of crime.

“We are not going to be going after the ordinary man, the common criminal, but the intellectual authors of crime, the persons behind the scenes that sometimes direct these activities,” Minister Harmon explained.

The Minister further noted that, over the last two weeks, the security forces have been doing exceptional work in this regard, specifically as it relates to coordinating and collaborating intelligence and operations. This has resulted in “breaking the backs” of two criminal gangs.

“This can only be done when you act on sound intelligence and, our efforts over the last couple of weeks have been to beef-up services, our intelligence resources, to provide the kind of operational intelligence for the police force.”

According to Harmon, at the moment the Government is interested in the background to the crimes that are happening. He said Mr. Hinds can provide some linkages and further information as to why these crimes are occurring and who are the persons giving directions.

The Minister of State was also clear on the granting of amnesty to self-confessed criminals. “I am not offering any amnesty whatsoever to anybody who admittedly is involved in a criminal act or criminal activities and say, I told you this or I told you that, and therefore I should be exempted. Come to us first and say we would like to speak to you, and we might consider it; but you can’t go on the television and the news, and all over the place and admit to certain activities which are unlawful and expect that this lawful Government will give you lawful cover,” Minister Harmon said.

The Government continues to place significant emphasis on crime fighting.
Immediately after his return from the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, President David Granger convened a high-level security meeting to craft a crime fighting strategy. The Ministry of Public Security will oversee the implementation of this strategy.