DEPUTY Commissioner (ag) ‘Operations’, Clifton Hicken and senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday addressed the many concerns of residents at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The “Face the Community Meeting” was held at the Enmore Hope West Primary School, and was chaired by Divisional Deputy Commander, Deputy Superintendent T. Brown.
Also in attendance at the meeting were Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram, and senior officers of the division.
The Regional Commander, in his opening remarks, highlighted the importance of the police and community partnership. He emphasised the need for the Force to build bridges and gain the trust of the public.

Deputy Commissioner (ag) Hicken also spoke briefly, and urged the residents to openly share their problems, promising that recommendations and actions will be taken.
Some of the issues raised by the residents include: Sale of narcotics; youths liming in the community; traffic congestion near private workshops and supermarkets; noise nuisance; inaction by some police ranks when reports are made; and openly burning garbage.

Mr. Hicken, in response, stressed the need for police/corporate responsibility, and encouraged residents to work along with the police to make the community a better place.
He recommended the following: Police and stakeholders form youth groups to assist with the upbringing of the youths; need to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines; collaboration between police and the NDC; address issues in illegal rum shops and pollution; increase raids on drug houses, along with the need to form a group chat to alert each other of suspicious characters and activities.