WHILE there may be an upsurge in burglaries and armed robberies countrywide, ‘E’ Division (Upper Demerara Upper Berbice) has recorded a significant decrease in these categories of crime over the past few months.Commander of the Division,Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh,believes that the meaningful involvement of youths is one of the division’s most effective crime fighting techniques. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Karimbaksh boasted of the very low crime rate in Linden, and while there are cases of break and enter and larceny, the perpetrators are most times apprehended. Being cognisant of the high unemployment rate in Linden which results in youths being involved in unconstructive activities such as gambling, liming and smoking, the Division has taken up the task, though not in their remit, to have these youths meaningfully employed in constructive activities. Currently across the entire Region 10, there are 15 youth groups with 573 members in total who are involved in activities and training,ranging from art and craft, vocational skills, music, first aid training and food and nutrition.”We have designated ranks who monitor them, the Division also collaborates with other organizations such as the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE)and the Board of Industrial Training who would provide voluntary training in welding and fabrication, mechanics, information technology and carpentry,” the Commander highlighted. The youths meet on a weekly basis and the training is continuous. There is another batch of youths expected to be enrolled in vocational training next week. ‘We are doing a lot with the youths, we have the scout groups too training in the field of music and the military band… we would also speak to them on teenage pregnancy, personal hygiene and give general counselling,”
The ranks of E’ Division under the stewardship of Commander Karimbaksh are also involved in community projects which allow them to strengthen and build a close relationship with the Community. Just last week, the Division built a bus shed at Mabura and will be building two others shortly. The division has partnered with the business community and the Regional Administration to identify sporting facilities that are in need of repairs and have recapped basketball courts, constructed playgrounds and pavilions, painted pedestrian crossings among other projects.
Increased Patrols
While the youth groups are to deal with the youths, the Division has also increased patrols in the several communities across Linden to monitor hot spots and known criminal characters. The ranks have partnered with the Community Policing Groups to patrol these inner streets and pathways frequently. “ We have an increase in foot patrols;these patrols are supported by two- wheel motor cycle patrols, anti-crime patrols, regular station mobile patrols, ATV patrols, we also have marine patrols, so with the advent of all these patrols, we are preventing crime,” affirmed Karimbaksh.
The Division is also fighting crime by strict monitoring of parties and promotions where Deejays may be inciting violence and immoral behaviour through their music. Ranks in the recent past were forced to shut down parties and other social activities as a result of the violence being encouraged which results in fights and gun-play. Commander Karimbaksh explained that it is in the interest of the masses that the police are monitoring these activities so that the youths will not be negatively influenced. He also spoke of the ripple effect of the several parties within Linden though the community has an ailing economy. Most of the men are lured to these social events where they end up spending their earnings rather than to carry it home and when the needs of the family are not met, domestic violence is ensued, the children are forced to steal to have a meal and triangular love affairs may start which can result in murder. Commander Karimbaksh reiterated that the Division is here to work with promoters for the good of the entire community while upholding the rule of law.