…as overall 1% decrease in serious crimes recorded in region
Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has recorded a one per cent decrease in serious crimes, but a breakdown of the figures showed that various categories such as armed robberies involving firearms went up by 16 per cent.
This was revealed on Saturday by Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, during the launch of the Police Christmas campaign in Berbice.
Murders decreased by nine per cent while there was a 50 per cent decrease in robbery.
During the period under review, January 1 to November 9, 2021, 10 murders were committed against 11 for the corresponding period last year – presenting a nine per cent decrease. Breaking and entering and larceny dropped by 22 per cent.
However, increases were recorded in other serious crimes such as rape, with a 34 per cent spike; robbery with violence – 25 per cent; larceny from persons – 29 per cent; and robbery under arms involving firearms – 16 per cent increase, that is, 22 cases as against 19 last year.
The Commander pointed out that while the figure stands at 22, the last reported gun robberies were as a result of two instances. In one case, two persons from one house were robbed and in the other, five persons were robbed when armed bandits broke into the home.
For the year so far, some 15 firearms were recovered by Police in the region compared with 23 for the corresponding period last year.
Gangs
Meanwhile, Commander Ramlakhan noted that in recent months, several notorious gangs have been intercepted with quantities of narcotics. Among these were members of the “Amphibian Crew” from Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, who were busted and charged.
Those gang members before the court are Adrian Hetmyer, 43, Kenson Charles, 29, and Hemish Bell, 24. They are all before the court on arms, ammunition and narcotic charges.
He added too that several gang members are now before the court following efforts by the Police to demolish these groups.
One such crew is the “Deportee” gang known for committing robbery under arms on foreign nationals.
The gang, he said, has been causing havoc on the Corentyne.
“The ring leader of this gang was recently nabbed with narcotics on the East Coast [Demerara]. We have evidence that connects him with these robberies – the ‘Deportee’; he will be brought here so that he can answer to these charges.”
The Commander pointed out that most of the serious crimes committed in the region were solved within a matter of days.
“With intelligence we have been able to go and arrest the right persons and charged them and most of them have confessed to the crimes they committed,” he said.
According to the Commander, Paul Kirton, 38; Hembraj Singh, 16; and Tulshwar Narine, 34, who are all on remand for armed robbery, are members of the “Deportee” gang.
Meanwhile, as part of the 2021 Police Christmas Campaign, known characters will be monitored. Ramlakhan said the aim is to provide a safe environment for all citizens, visitors, business entities and communities during the festive season.
Traffic
As it relates to the traffic situation, the Region Six Commander disclosed that from January 1 to October 24, there was a 46 per cent decrease in fatalities on the road, that is, seven for this year as against 13 in 2020.
However, as the Christmas periods approaches, regular rigorous traffic enforcement will be conducted on a 24-hour basis so as to reduce and mitigate accidents in Berbice.
Ramlakhan added that adequate traffic management will also be adopted to mitigate traffic congestion during the holidays.
Intensification of roadblocks and raid operations can also be expected throughout the region along with stringent enforcement of the COVID-19 regulations.
The Commander further pointed out that the Police will be using vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, foot patrol, mounted and marine patrols to ensure that the region is safe with heightened presence at the major markets and the commercial zones during the upcoming holidays.
One of the concerns of Commander Ramlakhan is the frequency at which persons are illegally entering the country through the Corentyne border Guyana shares with Suriname.
For the year so far, a total of 42 foreign nationals have been charged in the region and placed before the court for illegal entry.
They include 14 Cubans, 12 Haitians, 10 Chinese, four Indians and two Colombians. (G4)
