DIVISIONAL Commander of ‘D’ Division (West Bank/Coast/East Bank Essequibo) Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper recently unveiled the division’s Christmas Action Plan which will see an increase in community and neighbourhood policing in the region to tackle crime and traffic congestion.

The meeting held at Vreed-en-Hoop, saw the Commander and ‘Admin’ team ensuring that members of the community understood the nature of the security operations, while also engaging in a walkabout within the businesses situated in the area.

He said that the operations mode for the division during this Christmas period is one that is conducive for partnership and members of the public were asked to come on board.

The senior superintendent speaking on behalf of his division,detailed the various areas of focus where ranks will be deployed to ensure that the action plan works effectively to tackle crime and traffic.

He said emphasis will be placed on hotspots and roadblocks where there is need for attention.

Some of the hotspots identified by the commander are the Jetty squatting area, Best Village, Crane Housing Scheme, and La Parfaite Harmonie.

The commander said patrols will be done on a rotational basis at Vreed-en-Hoop, Tuschen, Zeeburg, Anna Catherina, Parika, Zeelugt, Cornelia Ida Housing Scheme and other areas.

Underscoring that more ranks are to be placed on foot patrol in both uniform and plainclothes to ensure safety of commuters during the Christmas season, the commander said that roadblocks will be intensified to make sure that persons who are wanted are intercepted.

Urging persons to cooperate with the road-block officers, the senior superintendent said that raids will be conducted on the basis of intelligence they receive from the public and the business community.

The commander said that specific arrangements will be put in place to monitor the traffic congestion and crowd control within the villages that usually become very populated, more so within the context of Christmas.

He said that monitoring of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, gas stations and commercial banks would be a priority during the Christmas season. Anti-crime patrols will be on a 24-hour rotation. This, he maintained, will be achieved by boosting the additional ranks with those stationed in office.

President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce Halim Khan thanked the commander for listening to the business community, noting that there will be a need for ramping up of all aspects of patrolling to net anyone who is bent on breaking the law and making citizens’ lives uncomfortable.