By Svetlana Marshall

ASSISTANT Commissioner and Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken said maximum security will be in place to usher in Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. It is expected that more than 60,000 overseas-based Guyanese will return to participate in Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. However, security remains a major concern.
On Wednesday, Commander Hicken in offering his assurance that maximum security will be in place way ahead of Independence Day, alluded to the fact that there had been a steep reduction in crime in Division ‘A’ by 24%.

In fact a recent report issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has indicated that there is a 14% reduction in serious crimes. The statistics for murder have decreased by 5% in the first quarter of the year, while incidents of robbery-under-arms have also dipped by 10%.
The much anticipated float parade, which will take center stage on May 26, will proceed along a new route moving from Church and Camp Streets in a western direction then north onto Avenue of the Republic. It will then proceed in an eastern direction into Brickdam for the grand finale at the Durban Park.
Though the route has changed, manning parades and massive events in Guyana is nothing new for the Guyana Police Force, Commander Hicken said, positing that preparations have advanced.
“We will be cutting off the cross streets long in advance…and I can tell you we will be lining the route with police to ensure that there will be no congestion along the line,” he told Guyana Chronicle.
Once all the floats have passed, the cross streets which would have been initially cut-off, will be opened up for traffic, thereby reducing the congestion around the town.
Additionally, the Commander pointed out that “pockets of crowd control will be in strategic areas” where judges will be located and floats delayed for the purpose of judging.
“We will have adequate amount of police and barriers within Durban Park itself, keeping away the viewing public from the tarmac itself,” the ‘A’ Division Commander further added.
However, throughout the Jubilee Celebrations, Commander Hicken said the streets of Guyana particularly in the capital city would be flooded with police officers who would either be in uniform or plain clothes.
At the time of the interview with this newspaper, the Assistant Commissioner of Police had just concluded a tour of the official Float Parade Route with the Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Nicolette Henry. Officer in Charge of Operations at the Guyana Fire Service Compton Sparman, and officials from the National Commemorative Commission were among those who walked with Minister Henry from Church and Camp Streets to Durban Park.
In a brief interview with this newspaper, Minister Henry said the walkthrough was primarily to assess the route to determine the best vantage points for aerial shoots, vending and restroom facilities.
Minister Henry said she is more than satisfied that there is enough space for vendors and spectators along the route. “I don’t suppose there is a better route given the wide shoulders we all saw and endorsed by competent persons particularly the security forces.”
While at the Durban Park, Ministry Henry was joined by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour Keith Scott, and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson.
The Ministerial Team conducted an inspection of the site particularly the bleachers, however, the media was prevented from participating in that exercise.