— Commander credits increased resources, manpower and community engagement

REGION 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has recorded a 38.7 per cent decline in overall crime-related matters and a 21.4 per cent decrease in traffic incidents when compared with the corresponding period last year.
Commander of Regional Police Division 10, Senior Superintendent of Police John Barker, disclosed the figures during a public update earlier this week, noting that continued policing efforts have been supported by increased resources, manpower and community engagement.
Highlighting the reductions, Barker said both crime and traffic statistics are currently below those recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
“We have both traffic and crime ‘stats’. We are at a minus in both areas. For traffic, we are at a 21.4% decrease in comparison to last year. As relates to crime, we are also in a minus. We are currently at a 38.7% decrease in overall crime-related matters,” he said.
The Senior Superintendent said community engagement remains a priority for the division, with ranks continuing outreaches and meetings with residents.
“As relates to our policing efforts in Regional Police Division 10, we will continue to be in the community. As relates to the community meeting, the community outreach, we also continue to collaborate with members of the society,” Barker said.
He noted that this collaboration continued with the recent reopening of schools, with ranks conducting road-safety exercises and educating children and adults about proper road use.
“Most recently, we had, for the opening of the schools, painting of the road signs and also education, as relates to informing persons of the rules when using the road, which include children and adults,” he said.
INCREASED RESOURCES
Barker said the division has also benefitted from Government support through the allocation of additional resources and manpower, strengthening its ability to respond to incidents and maintain a visible presence in communities.
“As relates to the government improvement in the division, we have seen tremendous support towards the police in terms of resource allocation, both in terms of material and the manpower,” he said.
The Commander pointed specifically to the allocation of vehicles, which he said has improved the division’s response capacity and enabled increased patrols.
“I am speaking to material in terms of the allocation of vehicles to the region. We have enough vehicles to respond should the need arise. Our presence in the communities is felt because of the resources allotted to us, particularly patrol vehicles and the ranks on the road,” Barker said.
The division has also benefitted from investments in infrastructure, with several police buildings either modernised, newly constructed or currently under construction.
“As relates to the buildings, we have modernised buildings now to accommodate every aspect of policing. Most of our buildings in Region 10 are up to date in terms of the condition and newly constructed. We have a few buildings in terms of outposts and police stations that are currently under construction and will soon be completed,” he said.
Barker said the improved facilities will provide a more comfortable environment for both police ranks and members of the public seeking assistance.
“These buildings, when completed, will provide comfort to both members of the force who perform duties and persons, members of the society, who come to the various departments or stations to report matters. They could be handled in a comfortable and conducive environment,” he said.
The Commander said the additional resources, infrastructure and manpower, coupled with continued community engagement, will further strengthen policing efforts across the region.