Govt working to enhance image on US travel advisories

Amid consecutive travel advisories from the US Embassy in Georgetown warning its citizens to exercise caution in certain areas in the country, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn assured that the Government is continuously working to enhance nationwide security – not only for locals’ wellbeing but also to improve its image on those internationally-circulated advisory recommendations.
While persons are of the opinion that these advisories apply to the lack of security nationwide, Benn said this is not the case while noting that it only applies to certain areas in Guyana where robberies are dominant.
As such, he assured that stringent efforts are being made to strengthen national security.
“I am not aware of any particular advisory on travel to Guyana. There may have been at some point some questioning of going to some particular areas, in the country or in the city like many other cities, even in the United States…”.
“Georgetown has areas where they are difficult areas to go through at difficult times in the day or night. The Stabroek area can be challenging during the day even… we are working on these things,” he said.
Earlier this year, the US Embassy issued a security warning regarding the Stabroek and Bourda Market areas in Georgetown.
The embassy’s statement said that Georgetown is rated “critical” for crime, especially with incidents of robberies, sexual assault, vehicle accidents, and homicides.
Further, it warned that this is particularly in high-risk areas after dark; while advising their personnel not to independently visit Stabroek Market.
Furthermore, Mission personnel were advised to use extreme caution when visiting Bourda Market during the day, and not to independently visit Bourda Market at night.
Just a day after the report, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) conducted a walkabout of the areas to begin mapping out strategies for better policing in the capital city.
Nevertheless, Minister Benn reported that the country has seen a reduction in serious crimes.
“Surprisingly, we struck down the violent crime rate by some 20 per cent compared to the previous year. So, from 2021 to 2020 serious crimes were reduced by 20 per cent in totality. We might have taught that it was influenced by issues related to COVID…”.
He said after an evaluation, they found that much of the reduction had to do with the provision of more assets to the Police Force.
“…vehicles, much more materials, in terms of their operations, more focus, and energy in terms of crime fighting, we came out of the full distraction of not only of the COVID but also of the issues related to the negative elections experience we had…”, he posited.
Benn said currently, compared to 2021, serious crimes have been reduced by 18.5 per cent in Guyana and his Ministry will be monitoring the crime situation in the country, so that they can continue to strengthen security.