It is no surprise that the security forces are receiving severe blows for its ineffective response to the crime situation gripping the country at present. Over the past few days, bandits have been creating havoc in communities across the country and citizens are expressing a deep sense of fear that they could be pounced upon at any time. We have seen the most brazen attacks recently which left many businesses and ordinary citizens wondering when the authorities would be able to get a firm grip and arrest the situation once and for all.
To begin with, the Government, in particular the Public Security Minister, seems incapable of dealing with the crime situation. To date, in spite of a number of brazen attacks, the authorities are just making promises to citizens that the security situation in the country will improve. The bottom line is citizens are losing patience with the Government, particularly the sector that is responsible for ensuring citizens enjoy some level of comfort and safety. Citizens are demanding more from those elected to serve their interests and it is only reasonable that they fulfill those expectations.
As recent as Monday, gunmen robbed a coconut vendor, who operates a 24h stall at Bourda Market to sustain himself and his family. Also on Monday, bandits beat and hijacked the car of a Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara man, who works taxi as a part-time job to supplement his family’s income.
Also on Sunday, armed bandits pounced on a La Penitence, Georgetown contractor in another brazen robbery attack, carting off with the man’s valuables. Also this weekend, a Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD) shopkeeper was shot after he was attacked by six armed men. In Berbice, there are daily robberies as reported in the press.
These most recent cases should serve as a reminder that criminal elements are not afraid of carrying out their criminal acts and certainly the security apparatus of the State should take this into consideration.
From all indications, it seems the bandits are now acting with impunity as there is no fear whatsoever for the law enforcement officers. This could be due to the fact that the Government has been sending mixed signals in relation to its position on crime.
Further, it must be noted that the Administration has taken a laid-back approach to dealing with the crime situation. Many are asking where is the crime prevention plan that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change boasted about during the May 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign. Certainly, the statistics so far in relation to serious crimes are worrying and underscore the need for urgent action by the Public Security Ministry and the relevant law enforcement agencies.
Government must provide the resources needed to fight crime; that is, more patrol vehicles, manpower and so on. Additionally, there is dire need for the Police to step up efforts as it relates to more intelligence-led policing. Building better community relations will certainly go a far way in helping them to be successful in this regard.
At present, the general perception is that Government is powerless, ineffectual, and out of their league in fighting crime. We are almost midway of 2016, and the situation does not look as if it is improving, especially as it relates to the number of armed robberies taking place. We urge the Government to revisit the issue of the increasing crime rate and take the necessary action that will hopefully result in some sense of order and decency.
