It was comforting to hear the acknowledgement from the current Administration that there was an existing crime situation as “we continue to be bombarded on a near daily basis, about a range of criminal activities, from petty to fatal, that is occurring across our country”.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan made reference to this situation during the presentation of the 2017 Budget estimates, where he proudly announced a myriad of new measures which will allow the authorities to both prevent and respond efficiently to crimes. Towards this end, he announced that in 2017, the Government will expend .1 billion to restore public confidence in our security sector.
Besides the obvious unrest being experienced by the local business community and residents in neighbourhoods across Guyana, the effects of crime will now be felt in the pockets of taxpayers.
The measures to be implemented are all aimed at restoring public confidence in the security sector, the Minister assured; these include but are not limited to Increasing recruitment of Police Officers by approximately 20 per cent; improving the Police Force’s mobility; expanding patrols in key areas to deter criminal activity, for which over 0 million has been budgeted, complemented by expansion of the mounted branch in key hinterland locations; strengthening the integrated crime information system; re-establishing and operationalising the 911 service; expanding surveillance; the launching of a multi-agency collaboration to tackle narcotics, smuggling, and human-trafficking, and the upgrading of 12 police stations across the country, among others.
Added to this, to offset the overcrowding of the Georgetown Prison, the Finance Minister announced that the complex at the Mazaruni Prisons would be expanded at a cost of .2 billion, of which 9 million is budgeted, in 2017, and would see the expansion of offices, inmate living facilities, staff and family living facilities, training facilities, as well as the construction of a school, daycare centre and places of worship.
What is noteworthy and commendable are the plans aimed at empowering and educating the youths across Guyana; it was announced to the nation that measures would also target over 1000 at-risk youths to be trained in a nine-month programme in technical and vocational skills in 2017.
According to Jordan, it is anticipated that the empowerment and education of youths in livelihood-building skills will help to reduce the incidence of delinquency and crime. In areas where crime is prevalent, and where residents notice direct effects in terms of education and job availability, this will be most welcome. Many will look forward to the ensuing results.
In tandem with the establishment of Community Action Councils, the Government will also develop community safety plans for 20 communities with the highest crime and violence rates. The plans will serve as a guide to improving community awareness towards reducing the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour, Jordan said.
In the area of fire prevention, he said too that for the first time, a Port Georgetown fireboat will be added to the fleet of fire vehicles, at a cost of 0 million, to service Port Georgetown. In addition, .4 million was being allocated for two water tenders in Leguan and Wakenaam as well as two ambulances to augment the integrated 912 and 913 emergency services to improve response time. Three new fire stations, costing about .5 million, will also be constructed at Mahdia, Mabaruma, and Melanie Damishana.
And now we sit back and trust that our officials have crafted an effective security plan or programme to tackle the issues at hand, now that the funding has been identified. Positive results can only be achieved through strong and sustained action by Government and security agencies at all levels, supported by a culture of community participation.
Undoubtedly, new prisons and jails, community programmes and money for more Police protection all come directly and indirectly out of the pockets of taxpayers. Society loses when investing in new jails rather than paying employees higher wages.
Conversely, there has been a collective call for something to be done to address the escalating crime situation. The plan has been crafted and it will take a collective effort and immediate action, but, as we have seen, the cost of doing otherwise is definitely too high. If our country is to meet the growth targets that have been set, businesses must be able to operate in a safe environment.
