THE “See Something, Say Something” initiative by ‘D’ Division police and religious leaders has yielded successes since its launching on August 27, 2015.The Cops and Faith project spearheaded by Corporal Michael Clarke of the Leonora Police Station and several members of the religious community on the West Coast Demerara/East Bank Essequibo have already seen 30 arrests with several successful convictions.

Commander Stephen Mansell told this publication that so far, a total of 30 persons have been arrested by the police as a result of the community/police initiative and they are very pleased that citizens are volunteering information which has led to many arrests of criminal elements.

He disclosed that persons have been arrested for fights, violence, suspicious persons in the community lurking around, break and enter and larceny, and noise nuisance from the Vergenoegen, Zeelugt and Tuschen villages.

The senior officer added that more calls are coming to the police from citizens and they are hoping to develop a closer relationship with the community in crime fighting since the collaborative efforts are working well so far.

He added that community-based projects such as “See Something, Say Something” is very vital to foster partnerships and develop relationships with faith-based leaders, citizens and the police.

Within recent times residents of Tuschen have suffered tremendous losses as a result of frequent break and enter and larceny incidents, especially when they are not at home.

The village is frequented by bandits, who lay wait residents while they are walking home and they are attacked and robbed at knifepoint as well as gunpoint.

Of those arrested recently is a woman and her three underage children. It was reported that the woman is the mastermind behind many break and enter and larceny at houses in Tuschen.

It is alleged that she encourages her school-aged children, all boys, to go to homes of persons who are away at work during the day and take whatever they want, particularly things of significant value.

The Guyana Chronicle is in receipt of several photographs taken by residents when the woman and her children were being taken away in a police vehicle for questioning recently.
Mansell during the launching of the “See Something, Say Something” at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo tarmac on August 27, 2015 told residents that the initiative is a part of the GPF’s social inter-agency project under which C-PETS — Creating Positive Environment Through Safe Communities and Partnership – was able to assist 83 youths to successfully complete a six-week skills training programme at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Institute.
Mansell said that the Cops and Faith initiative was launched by the Guyana Police Force in 2013 to reduce crime in the community.
He noted that the police alone cannot fight crime; therefore projects such as “See Something, Say Something” are geared towards building a better relationship between the community and the police. He urged residents to do their part by volunteering information in relation to incidents of crime to police officers or to the faith-based leaders. He assured that it would assist in the reduction of crime in the division.
He said citizens need not be afraid to pass on information, since by so doing they would be playing a vital role in regard to crime-fighting.
Mansell said, “If you have information, pass it on to us or the pastors.” He reminded the gathering that crimes can be prevented if the police respond quickly and maintain law and order.
He pointed out that there is always a soft side of the police, and that side seeks to foster better relations with citizens. He described as a part of the soft side of police activity the presentation of backpacks with school supplies to 60 children, in time for the new school term.
He said, “The police are not the enemy, we are here to uphold the law and maintain order, because we want to go back to the days when people can sleep with their windows open; and for that to be a reality today, we have to work together to rid our community of crime.”
Pastor Derick Anderson, who spoke on behalf of the religious leaders, said the Cops and Faith initiative is a collaborative effort. He said that religious leaders are working side by side with the police to reduce crime in the community; and the station sergeants of all police stations in that division are tasked to come up with community-based projects

By Michel Outridge