IN RECENT weeks there has been a lot of debate on the crime situation locally. Some of the discussions largely ignore the official police statistics on crime–the latest being a 19 per cent decrease in serious crimes at the end of January, 2018, relative to the same period last year.

During the reporting period there was a tie in respect of murders and the same for robbery under arms when firearms were used. A 13 per cent decrease in robberies where no instruments were used; a 50 per cent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used; a 50 per cent decrease in robbery with aggravation; a 50 per cent decrease in larceny from the person; a 24 per cent decrease in rapes; a 52 per cent decrease in burglaries; a 9 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny and a 45 per cent increase in robbery with violence.

These are not manufactured figures; they represent the statistics of the premier anti-crime agency, However, citizens are often jolted by one singular act of violence or the commission of a crime, depending on the scale of it, and this helps to form whatever impressions they have about the crime situation. Undoubtedly, we have seen a rash of armed robberies–some of which have targeted customers of commercial banks. These incidents have somewhat blighted the tremendous work the lawmen have been doing in dismantling sea piracy and their recent efforts in smashing a carjacking network of criminals.

We are therefore pleased to hear that the Guyana Police Force will be taking a more decisive approach to addressing the bank-related robberies as well as the bankers’ association statement condemning these acts and pledging to work with law enforcement in arresting the situation. Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan was also on point when he told reporters at a news conference on Monday that”…parents and friends know who the thieves are” and urge them to speak out.

Crime has its genesis in the society and its growth and pattern need to be addressed not only through applying crime-solving methods, but also putting in place preventive measures, which take on board a scientific approach in gathering and analysing data.

It is within this context that our approach to crime and crime-fighting can engender positive results and societal development. Crime speaks to a violation of the laws. Equally, crime cannot be fought by committing crimes and this is why it becomes important to recognise that the upholding of laws is hinged on crime-fighting and development. When a nation accepts crime as destructive, regardless of the socio-economic and political standing of the perpetrators, and is prepared to treat all equally before the law, it creates the desire to put systems in place to address crime in a holistic manner.

White collar crime, while having similar debilitating effects as blue collar crime on development, is being given less attention. This lends itself to a scenario where the privileged and connected may be allowed to get away with illegal activities in full view of the system, operators of which turn a blind eye or are similarly compromised. Equally, if systems are not put in place to minimise and avoid blue collar crime, it lends itself to perception that this is the result of a failure by the system and communities to address the welfare of the less privileged and unconnected, i.e., the ordinary man and woman.

President David Granger has virtually been on a warpath against this type of crime and during his recent address at the Police Officers conference, he did not mince words in calling out those ranks who are perceived to be corrupt. Making crime-solving and avoidance/prevention part of a nation’s developmental strategy is possible when all are held to the same standards and play by the same rules.

In this environment, it also helps too to recognise modern-day, crime-fighting techniques do not see killing as acceptable or first choice. And where death has occurred, the Coroner’s Act, Chapter 144 sets out procedures how this ought to be dealt with. For years this law has been observed in the breach and only for a chosen few, inspite of it being universal.

It is the equal responsibility of the alleged criminal, law enforcer, privileged and connected, and the ordinary man and woman to abide by the law and be held accountable under the law. Effective and efficient crime-fighting is hinged on these stated factors and the nation has to work to ensure these form part of the daily occurrence in the management of the State.