-promise stepped-up traffic, anti-crime patrols

POLICE on the western shores of the Demerara River (‘D’ Division) have launched a new campaign against noise nuisance; and divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Leslie James, has promised robust enforcement of laws and relentless prosecution of lawbreakers.

A resident within the division who attended the Monday launching of this new campaign complained to the divisional commander that noise nuisance is one of the greatest challenges in his neighbourhood.

He said a man visits his neighbours with a bicycle that is equipped with a stereo set, the noise emanating therefrom being extremely loud and disturbing; and whenever he complains about it, he gets no satisfactory response.

Commander James, advising the man to contact the police at the next repeat of this occurrence, said it is known that vehicles — especially public transportation minibuses — play music that is not only loud, but contain lewd lyrics. He vowed to correct this situation, declaring that ‘D’ Division is taking a very serious stand about such “lawlessness.”

Police Inspector Chabinauth Singh, who is responsible for crime in the division, said the police have been successful in solving several crimes on the West Bank of Demerara and the East Bank of Essequibo. He said that some 4376 grams of cannabis and 312 grams of cocaine have thus far been seized; and among other illegal items seized are: one 9mm pistol, one .32 pistol, and several rounds of ammunition. Moreover, 12 persons have been arrested and charged for those crimes.

Four wanted men have also been arrested and charged in connection with 14 counts of robbery-under-arms committed in Vreed-en-Hoop, and police have solved the murder of a man whose body was discovered earlier this year at the foreshore at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.

Police have revealed an intention to combat crime in all areas, thus there will be day and night foot patrols by police officers, neighbourhood police ranks and community policing groups. Bicycle, motorcycle and mobile patrols will also be made, and there will be concentrated focus on crime hot spots and traffic black spots (which are geographic areas in which major criminal and traffic offences are committed).

There will also be increased marine patrols, particularly from Wales to Parika; monitoring of the Demerara Harbour Bridge; and collaboration through sharing of information with various police divisions and police headquarters.

Even as Guyana commemorates ‘Road Safety Month’, Traffic Commander Assistant Superintendent Forbes Browne has credited Operation Safeway for the reduction of major traffic crimes in ‘D’ Division. He has, however, said that thus far for 2016, some 124 persons have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, while 80 drivers have been charged with speeding and 100 others have been charged with other traffic offences.

The main focus of the intensified police campaign is to reduce traffic accidents, Browne said, explaining that with massive road rehabilitation on the West Demerara, it is projected that speeding and reckless driving would be increased, possibly resulting in an increase in road accidents.

“Traffic control enforcement exercises will be intensified. Special arrangements will be put in place on Christmas Eve and Old Year’s Night to deal with traffic control and congestion,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Commander James has said he is concerned with the building up of traffic, causing traffic jams along the West Demerara Public Road, even as vending along the parapet continues to be a major contributor to the congestion.

He said he understands that vendors have met with Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, and agreed to be placed at an alternative business venue, but have asked for an extended stay even as the Christmas season approaches.

He said he has visited an area at Vreed-en-Hoop that has been demarcated for the vendors, and is satisfied with its size.