PRESIDENT David Granger believes that Guyanese are safer now than they were two years ago, as he dismissed the perception that there is a high crime rate in the country. As a matter of fact, the President expressed satisfaction with the fact that serious crimes decreased by 16 per cent.
“There are some spectacular crimes, like the grenade being thrown [at Kaieteur News] but serious crimes are actually being reduced and several measures have been taken by the administration over the last 12 months to bring crime down, including Operation Dragnet,” President Granger said.
He made the point during his weekly television programme, The Public Interest.
However, the President was quick to admit that more can be done to make the Guyanese people feel more secure.
“Guyanese are actually safer now than they were two years ago. I don’t think that is a serious criticism, we are working on it. I agree with you that more can be done but we are bringing the crime rate down.”
Meanwhile, the President lambasted the private sector, which he said criticises the Government “excessively” as it relates to crime and corruption, even though private businessmen are involved in serious crimes.
These businessmen, the President said, will not escape Government’s radar.
“The Government doesn’t send persons out there to bribe policemen, these are private persons who bribe policemen, revenue officers and smuggle cocaine. When you hear about money-laundering or smuggling gold or trafficking narcotics, there are private individuals and we have to bring down criminality among those persons who are rogue businessmen, who want to do business in a corrupt fashion, but I intend to stamp it out within Government; stamp out corruption but equally, private investors must obey the law,” the Head of State said.
The Guyana Police Force has reported that at the end of May, serious crimes had decreased by 16 per cent; murders have been reduced by seven per cent, while gun-related robberies went down 10 per cent.
Additionally, there was a seven per cent reduction in armed robberies where other instruments were used by the perpetrators, and a 26 per cent decrease in robberies where violence was employed.
In May, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) wrote President Granger requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the country’s crime situation. In the letter, it was stated that the Commission and other members of the business community are “deeply disturbed” over the current situation.
The PSC made it clear to the President that the situation is eroding investor confidence at a time when Guyana wants to attract the diaspora and other visitors to join in the celebrations.