THIS is a great leap for crime fighting in our country. It is definitely most cost effective and extremely useful. The Hon Minister of Home Affairs, with his keen sense of management and foresight as a minister responsible for the police and general law enforcement has decided to institute this style of crime reporting. I see it most practical and useful. We have to maximise the use of the internet, even free possibilities like FaceBook (Fb), especially free possibilities!

It was a pleasure to see the advertisement in the daily newspapers, and then a report in the media of the new online method of reporting crime, even using blackberry or other cell phones to forward photos to the Crime Stoppers, who in turn will inform the relevant authorities. With Blackberry, even moving pictures could be sent.

Mr. Minister, congratulations are indeed in order.

I use the opportunity to encourage the entire Guyanese population to make use of this online crime reporting and crime-fighting tactic. Let everyone with and without a cell phone become an Intelligence Officer.

Government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme:
It is time also that security services look at the opportunity to ensure that all security personnel are trained in the use of the internet and its use in everyday life; the need to be responsible as citizens of the country and as ‘private law enforcers’, since Guyanese now have the unique opportunity to own a Laptop in every home.

This will enhance the programme being established by the Hon Minister of Home Affairs, as more and more people will become internet and computer friendly, even further enhanced with the installation of the fibre optic cable being done by government to empower people, all our citizens. I find this most commendable for many people cannot afford the monthly charges for internet services. The brain that is responsible for this has to be a visionary’s brain, an elite brain, a benevolent and charismatic leader, that of our former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, whom the world has recognised with three doctorates, quite possibly never seen in the history of the world. Security guards included. My company RK’s Guyana Security Services is setting up systems to teach all ranks who are not computer literate to be so, and we hope to help their children as well.

It is now time that every community, every neighbourhood patrol and community policing group be fitted with the most effective vehicle possible for bad roads and good roads, interior locations, hilly locations, village roads, back dams, which is more cost effective to maintain and operate.
New or reconditioned Toyota Mark IIs, they have their uses too, but low cost vehicles are now available in this country for all terrains, and can transport as much as seven to 10 people at one time, and give such consumption as 140 km per gallon of fuel. Almost like operating on fumes. The Guyana Police Force has one such vehicle. It costs just over half million dollars, versus three, four and five and six million for the Jeeps, the Mark IIs and the SUVs, some used or reconditioned SUVs cost six to ten million dollars. With this new cyber crime reporting more vehicles will be needed. Of course, communities should cooperate, have decent fundraisers or collections in communities and donate to the patrol team in their neighbourhoods.

Thank you, Hon. Minister Rohee for this new giant aid and step in crime fighting. Congratulations are in order sir.

Also, a special appreciation to the Government of Guyana for the opportunity that today most Guyanese who could never own a computer can now have their own laptops.