Berbice Police call for Private Sector support with traffic signage

Regional Police Commander for Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne), Assistant Commissioner Shivpersaud Bacchus, is calling on the private sector to partner with law enforcement to erect and maintain traffic regulation signs and road markings across the region. His appeal comes as the police continue efforts to improve road safety amid a rise in accidents and unsafe pedestrian behaviour. Bacchus’s comments were made on Saturday following the repainting of a pedestrian crossing along Main Street, New Amsterdam—between Harktman’s Lane and Pilot Street, carried out by the Youth Ministry of the Shalom Full Gospel Fellowship. He said the police are prepared to lend full support to any organisation or individual willing to assist in improving traffic infrastructure. “We welcome these initiatives and the department will give its full assistance whenever needed,” Bacchus told this publication. He emphasised that partnerships are critical, especially in areas where faded or missing road markings put pedestrians at risk. The Youth Ministry, led by Reshana Daniels-Chester, undertook the project after the previous pedestrian crossing had faded to the point where it was nearly invisible. According to her, the crossing is heavily used by both the elderly and schoolchildren, many of whom are often unaware that a designated crossing exists nearby. “Many times we have to tell children that just before the next street, there is a pedestrian crossing and they should use it. With the eye doctor having his office here, the elderly often need to cross the road to get there. Sometimes I have to leave my business and assist them to cross,” she explained. Daniels-Chester said the repainting formed part of the Ministry’s contribution to Road Safety Month 2025. She added that the group intends to make the improvement of the crossing an annual project.

“We will brighten it… We don’t want it to go back to the state where you can’t even see it, so we will do it every year,” she pledged. The initiative has been praised as a practical example of how civil society can support national road safety efforts.
Commander Bacchus said the police alone cannot maintain every sign or road marking, and timely help from local businesses, churches and community groups can greatly boost the region’s safety. With visibility playing a crucial role in preventing accidents, particularly at pedestrian crossings, the Commander is hopeful that more organisations will follow the example set by the Shalom Full Gospel Fellowship’s Youth Ministry.