By Margaret Burke

THE APNU-AFC coalition came to office four years ago as a government. This was a major general election, even as they took office as the APNU+AFC coalition for the first time. Even prior to being in office, this government held high on their agenda the security of the nation’s people; security against criminal activities internally, as well as security against criminal activities from external forces, primarily at the borders.

However, crime is an issue that cuts across all races. Generally, people want to be able to walk the streets freely and safely; have their children go to and from school without having to worry, and live in communities that are free from unusual activities that make them feel threatened.

The fact is that safe communities create safe countries, which would in turn serve to fashion the kind of atmosphere that stimulates people, especially young people to want to learn and achieve. Subsequently, acquiring real and meaningful jobs– entrepreneurship, also other forms of employment. In such spaces, businesses have the confidence to invest, and by and large people feel more comfortable to spend.

Retooling the Guyana Police Force
since taking office, the ‘Coalition’ government has made great progress in tackling corruption and law-breaking. One of the major factors was the reforming of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the entire security sector to ensure safer communities. The country is finally moving in the right direction.

Violent crimes have dropped by 30-plus per cent, including murder, armed robbery and rape. Under this government, the GPF has been given the resources and tools to tackle crime and make the streets safer. In addition, advisers from foreign police forces assisted in updating and modernising police training courses.

At the same time $1.7 billion was spent on the construction, refurbishment and renovation of 12 police stations across the country. This will ensure that there are improved services to citizens and increase crime prevention capabilities. A total of 28 others have been identified for further upgrade work. The Emergency Response System was rehabilitated and expanded to an additional 52 stations. Also, the new emergency 911 call system has enhanced the Force’s timely response to crimes, particularly domestic violence and public disorder.

Crime rate dropped
The Community Police Group (CPG) has now grown to a total membership of 4,255 active members. This is from a total of 210 groups across Regions Two and 10. Training was undertaken in conjunction with other ministries such as the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ministry of Social Services and Guyana Police Force. The training focused on areas of anger management and conflict resolution, trafficking in persons, suicide prevention, gathering evidence, lodging of exhibits and giving evidence.

The introduction of the special taskforces and other initiatives has also helped to reduce serious crime from 3,688 incidents in 2014 to 2,681 incidents in 2018 – a fall of 27.3 per cent. This included a 25 per cent drop in: murders from 149 to 111; a three per cent reported rapes from 252 rapes to 244; and a 16 per cent drop in burglary from 212 to 177. Breaking and entering saw a 37 per cent drop from 1472 to 926. But while this was happening there was also a successful Gun Amnesty Programme undertaken.

The National Anti-Narcotics Authority (NANA) was established and charged with managing the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit. In 2017 alone, over 672 kg of cocaine, 65,000 kg of cannabis and 1.6 kg of heroin have been seized as part of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan. By 2018, a further 171 kg of cocaine, 543 kg of cannabis, 532 g of ecstasy and 304g of heroin was also seized.

CANU received more resources to tackle narcotics crime, including the expansion of facilities, new equipment and vehicles, allowing new units to be established at locations in Berbice and Essequibo, with others set to open at Lethem and Parika later this year.

Training and recognition
Guyana participated in the International Cocaine Route Programme (CRP) to help curb drug trafficking. The joint effort included collaboration with countries in West Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Further, the US Government facilitated around 100 training activities for the GPF, CANU and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on gang prevention and intervention, dealing with prison riots, and also provided a course on intelligence gathering and democracy.

Interpol and UK Government gave guidance on tackling migrant smuggling and human trafficking. While advanced training for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) investigators was undertaken to increase the fight against financial crimes. UK and US foreign consultants were used to ensure SOCU were trained to a high standard.

Under APNU+AFC, Guyana has received international recognition for its work to combat trafficking in people. The country has been elevated to Tier 1 country status, the highest compliance ranking, by the US State Department, after being been placed in the Tier 2 ‘watch list’ under the previous government.

Additionally, the APNU+AFC’s rapid progress on countering corruption has been recognised internationally, with Guyana highlighted as one of the four biggest improvers on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Guyana has seen a 27.5 per cent improvement in its ranking from this respected organisation, rising from 29 to 37 since 2015.

General improvements
Residents across seven constituencies in East Berbice-Corentyne are no longer afraid to venture out at night, thanks to new street lights. Added to that, as part of a US$17.8M ($3.7B) grant from Japan, 7,000 LED street lamps have been installed along major roads and highways and a further 2,000 in communities across Guyana to ensure better lit roads for better safety and security.

The State Asset Recovery Act was passed, in keeping with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), despite obstruction from the Opposition. Additionally, there was the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission to monitor and review all the government’s sourcing of goods, services and execution of works done in a transparent, cost-competitive and fair manner.

The government also passed the Protected Disclosures (Whistleblower) Bill to combat corruption by encouraging and facilitating disclosures of improper conduct in the public and private sectors. An amended and strengthened Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, significantly enhancing the legislative framework for combatting corruption was also passed.

After more than a decade of inactivity under the previous government the APNU+AFC appointed the Integrity Commission, which has begun work promoting accountability and good governance. The US Embassy has also trained members of the Guyana’s independent Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to help tackle financial crime.

APNU+AFC’s rapid progress on countering corruption has been recognised internationally, with Guyana highlighted as one of the four biggest improvers on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Guyana has seen a 27.5 per cent improvement in its ranking from this respected organisation, rising from 29 to 37 since 2015. These are all significant progress made over the past four years and with added time much more will be done.