–in taking fight to COVID-19

DURING the COVID-19 outbreak here, Guyanese citizens and organisations have been working together to curb the spread of the virus, as well as keep each other safe during this time.
The National Community Policing Organisation of Guyana (NCPOG) has also been instrumental in this fight, organising several activities to ensure the safety of persons during this period.
Since the country started implementing systems to combat the COVID-19 plague, the organisation has aided in enforcing the guidelines in communities throughout the country.
The group’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Azad Osman told the Guyana Chronicle that though their mandate is to detect, suppress and prevent crime, they have decided to work to ensure that citizens follow the COVID-19 guidelines so as to keep themselves and others safe from the virus.

He stated that while the various groups in the organisation have not been given any resources, the officers know the importance of being a part of the fight, and took their roles seriously as they acted selflessly to ensure that they were able to reach varying members of their communities. Osman said that they did so through the distribution of hampers, and ensuring that business owners and other persons all observed the curfew.

According to Osman, the ‘Parfaite Harmonie’ group has worked closely with the Guyana Police Force to enforce the national curfew aimed at stemming the spread of the virus, while the one at Parika aided in sanitising the streets and setting up a sink, replete with hand sanitisers in the community for public use.

In addition, the Corentyne group along with Liaison Officer Robin Mohabir, assisted Sheet Anchor Primary School teachers in the distribution of biscuits and juices to children in the community of No.2 Sheet Anchor and Fort Ordinance East Canje Berbice. Region 6 CPGs also distributed face masks, and encouraged hand sanitizing at the #76 Market.
Osman further stated that while the groups have no agenda, as once the economy continues to reopen following the six-phase system that was put in place by the National COVID-19 task force, they will continue to act, based on their understanding for a need of working together to quell the spread of this virus.

The NCPOG, with its core mandate to detect, suppress and prevent crime, has consistently worked to mitigate other social issues within communities across Guyana. The organisation of over 200 Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and approximately 5,000 members spread across all ten administrative regions of Guyana, has greatly aided law enforcement during 2019.
They have executed more than 5000 community patrols, and have made over 200 arrests for illegal infractions. Additionally, they have also contributed to School Feeding Programmes, Youth Groups and Community Projects among other social causes. As Guyana continues its efforts to combat COVID-19, CPGs will continue to contribute to the national cause, and be of greater assistance to communities nationwide.