Dear Editor,
Following the Crime Chief’s statements at a press conference and previous statement emanating from the mouths of officers in the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force, I am highly annoyed that they choose to cast their incompetence towards others instead of getting a grip on crime and I would like to point out a few facts that they should address instead of trying to discredit others, specially ‘those roaming about as technicians’ like myself who are trying.
Over the years, the Stabroek Market has been a safe haven for drug sellers, users, selling and purchasing of stolen articles, numerous robberies. Numerous traffic jams around the various bus parks, especially at the route 45 park, cause tremendous headache to motorists.
Vehicles are being stopped and in most cases, charges are stated, the matter either gets tried on the spot or it’s taken to the ‘high court’ (Police station), and settlement is agreed upon. Many Police are trusted with responsibilities and instead, their greed overcomes them.
The recent incident at the Arthur Chung Centre shows that not one alone was involved but they all combine their brains together and execute lawlessness to enrich themselves. Those things keep occurring and despite their glorious plans they always come up with or project they embarked on, the lawlessness still continues. Throughout the years, crimes still occur and at particular areas, they keep reoccurring and they can’t curb it, even though they have all that is required to. But every Christmas, they always have a plan. Some plan!
Editor, at the above mentioned press conference, the Crime Chief chose to discredit persons ‘roaming about as technicians’ and advising to use companies. Just for the sake of clarity, I would like to inform the Crime Chief that most people working for those companies are just like us ‘roaming technicians’.
There is nowhere that really trains someone on installation of security systems and only one or few people are fortunate to get sponsored training overseas by companies. Some eventually leave and embarked on solo careers and now they are fortunate to be labeled ‘roaming technicians’.
I have penned a series of letters about security and security systems because I have an interest in them, did my research and it also aids me financially. I have been able to travel lots of places to either install or rectify/trouble shoot problems relating to security cameras.
Many people make contact with me via social media or phone either seeking my advice or service. Before going about discrediting ‘roaming technicians’, it should be noted that many companies charge tremendous amounts of money, and or sell outdated/inferior products.
Among some of the pointers/guides in my letters, I’ve emphasised on the placement of cameras and I am seeing many companies still installing cameras at a distance and angle which gives you footage that is worthless.
Today, many crimes are being committed by criminals who wear hats and although the angle camera is in position, it’s impossible to get a decent image. The Guyana Police Force has CID officers that receive training to retrieve videos/footage from DVRs and in a few cases, I had to assist those ‘trained’ officers, because they don’t know anything or could not manoeuvre through those settings.
Finally Editor, our crime rate is extremely high in this country and based on what the Crime Chief said, it’s ridiculous to hear that places would invest in dummy cameras instead of the real deal. I don’t buy that, business owners know the importance of security systems and I don’t believe they would stop short. There are many people who have security systems installed and if a crime is commited in the area their system covers, once it doesn’t involve them, they don’t assist.
Their views are that they invest for their protection and not others. Proper maintenance of security systems is important because it sometimes malfunctions and many systems might become inoperable, awaiting replacement parts/repairs etc.
The Crime Chief’s revelations will only encourages criminals to scrutinise places more closely, instead of deterring them, so, I’m wondering what are their true intentions, especially when they are against stores/companies having armed security in front of their premises? The last time I checked, even the Police was hired to perform a service and they thieving, isn’t it better you take your own precaution? Why no advisory about soliciting members of the Guyana Police Force, especially when we see they mostly uniting to thief?
Respectfully,
Sahadeo Bates
