FOR decades, the main criticism of policing in the Caribbean has been its dependence on reactive, witness-based investigations. This approach is often slower than the criminals it aims to catch. However, the position of the government highlighted by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond during her speech to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) marks a significant shift from this outdated model.
The government’s “Safe City to Safe Country” initiative is a crucial part of economic infrastructure, just like any highway or power plant. The statistics previously shared by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum are hard to ignore. Serious crimes have dropped to 801 reported cases in 2025, which is the lowest number in 10 years. Robbery and breaking-and-entering incidents have also reached historic lows; these are not random successes.
They result from a shift to intelligence-led policing. As Minister Walrond emphasised, the era of month-long manhunts based on witness statements is coming to an end. With facial recognition and real-time CCTV analytics, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) can identify offenders in just hours. This speed helps build the confidence that businesses need.
Critics often see security modernisation as an abstract government cost, but the private sector recognises the real connection between safety and financial stability. Expanding command centres beyond Georgetown effectively limits the space available for criminals, forcing them out of commercial areas.
When detection rates for cybercrime double and drug seizures reach 233 kilogrammes of cocaine in one year, the message to criminals is clear that the digital watch is active. Yet, technology alone cannot solve all problems. The ongoing issue of road safety, with 130 fatalities reported this year. This number is a stark reminder that while cameras can monitor actions, they cannot change a culture overnight.
Minister Walrond’s call for a “culture change” on our roads is just as critical as the technology itself. The tools of the “Safe Country” programme need to be supported by professional, community-focused policing, which the minister has committed to enhancing through ongoing professional development.
In the end, a growing economy cannot rely on outdated policing methods. As Guyana’s GDP attracts international attention, its security system must also be world class. Transitioning to data-driven strategies and high-tech surveillance is not only about capturing criminals; it also shows the world that Guyana is a secure and modern place for investment.
If this trend continues, 2025 will be remembered not just for its low crime rates, but also as the year Guyana combined its economic goals with a security framework to support them.
