600 CCTV cameras to be installed along Reg 6 highway

– Division records 8.2% decline in serious crimes; 51% reduction in road accidents

About 600 Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are expected to be installed along the main highway in Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne).
This was revealed by the Regional Police Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus during the division’s annual award ceremony on Thursday at St Francis Community Developer at Rose Hall, Berbice.
“Coming soon when the 4-lane highway is completed, we will have an additional 600 cameras placed in strategic locations to identify the threats… and just to take a look at how we did in our crime fighting, as of this morning compared to the last quarter where we were at a plus in collective crime; meaning that we had an increase. This morning, I am proud to report that Regional Division Six is on a minus compared to the last reporting period,” Bacchus stated.

This he noted will assist greatly in tackling criminal activities in the region. In presenting statistics for the year, Bacchus related that the division has recorded an 8.2 per cent decrease in serious crime
Some 10 murders were recorded for 2024 while 18 firearms were removed from the streets compared to 15 last year. “Domestic-related matters saw 135 reports with 81 cases made out and 51 convictions. There were 284 cases for noise nuisance which resulted in 24 arrests, 17 cases were made out with seven convictions.”
As it relates to traffic, the Commander was happy to report that there was a 51 per cent decrease in accidents. For the year, there were 17 fatalities, 11 of which were motorcyclists.
“We are addressing this and had several campaigns and of course, there are complaints when the police are doing their work. As it relates to the prevalent cases in traffic, we are at 4510 compared to 1027 in 2023.”
Giving statistics on drug eradication exercises carried out in the region this year, the Commander noted that there were 46 such exercises were conducted in communities along the Canje and Berbice Rivers which saw a total of 146 acres of cannabis being destroyed.

“One hundred and forty-six acres is not an easy thing to do. The biggest find in one of those operations would have been when the police destroyed over $5 million worth of cannabis and discovered over 500 live cartilages for a 12-gauge shotgun round of ammunition and one 12-gauge shotgun,” the Commander disclosed.
Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Police Rawl Nedd was named the region’s top cop. He spearheaded several drug eradication exercises which led to the discovery and destruction of millions of dollars’ worth of narcotics.
It is the second time in four years that the Divisional Crime Officer copped the ‘best cop’ award. The runner-up best cop is Police Sergeant Rodlyn Benjamin who functions as the administrative secretary.
The awards ceremony saw the most outstanding officers from every department also being awarded.
Acknowledging the contributions of the officers in the Region, Bacchus explained that there are certain values that police officers must uphold including integrity and professionalism.
He pointed out that over the past year, the force placed much emphasis on training, both locally and internationally. (Andrew Carmicheal)