Over 300 ranks to be deployed in G/town for Christmas season – Commander

– drones, road closure among efforts to bolster policing

With the holiday season being imminent, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday rolled out its annual Christmas Policing Plan, which is aimed at controlling crime and traffic across the country. The key features of this plan are heightened Police presence in the streets and communities, and the limiting of traffic in busy commercial zones.
The strategy has taken effect from November 15, and will continue to be in effect until January 15, 2024. Among the main focus of this plan are: increase in the deployment of boots on the ground, including both uniformed and plainclothes ranks, during the day and night from Monday to Sunday; increased deployment of anti-crime patrols; fully operational Police booths being located at various areas across the 12 Regional Police Divisions, especially in the main shopping districts, with the aim of receiving crime reports and taking action); deployment of the Marine Patrol, Mounted Patrol and Canine Patrol; deployment of Police patrols to crime hot spots, especially during peak hours; and identifying known suspicious characters at busy shopping areas, commercial banks, car parks and nightspots to act as a deterrent.

Additionally, the strategy entails maintaining a robust presence at choke points, check points, and border locations; increased deployment at the two airports – Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene F. Correia International (Ogle) Airport – as Guyana expects an increase in visitors; and the use of new recruits deployed to the various divisions to bolster the complement of ranks.
For effective policing across the country during this holiday period, all regional divisions will be divided into several sections, with focus being placed on the main commercial hubs.

Policing in Georgetown
In fact, Commander of Regional Division 4 ‘A’ (Georgetown), Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean, revealed that the capital city will be divided into 15 sections, and heightened Police presence is already visible, and will be further increased over the coming weeks.
“We are planning to put 82 patrols on the road on a daily basis, which will account for 250 [anti-crime] Police officers; and in traffic, 51 patrols which will cater for over 90 Police officers,” the Commander noted.
Of these, there will be 28 foot patrols comprising 56 ranks throughout the city; 14 bicycle patrols comprising 28 ranks; another 14 patrols on motorcycle comprising 32 ranks; and 26 motor vehicle patrols with 135 ranks.
“We are continuing to work in collaboration with the City Constabulary, our [private] security agencies, our business communities, and other stakeholders to ensure we have a safe festive season. We intend to reduce crime, fear of crime, and traffic accidents during this period,” McBean explained.
According to the Georgetown Commander, increased crime, traffic accidents and congestion are likely during this period; and as such, there will be heightened intelligence-led operations, focus on noise nuisance, special emphasis to be paid on all commercial and residential areas, heightened security of entertainment and public events, increased visits to key points and vulnerable points, heightened traffic enforcement, and special arrangements to facilitate late shopping on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Traffic in the city
“Specifically, for Christmas Even and Old Year’s Day, a need may arise, [and] Regent Street will be closed temporarily between Camp Street and Avenue of the Republic from 12:00h. This is to facilitate the extensive amount of shoppers and activities therein. For Robb Street, we’ll ensure there is a no-entry for articulated vehicles, but there is not a limitation for the movement of cargo from John Fernandes [Wharf]. On Robb Street itself, the east-bound traffic is the priority,” Head of the GPF’s Traffic Department, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, explained.
During his presentation, he added, “There will be managed movement, not restricted, of containerized cargo, and support by us for the internal supply chain. CCTV support will come in the form of alerts for congestion, obstruction, and public order issues – all real time information, and that flow helps us to have our patrols diverted to address the area that is in need at the time.”
According to the Traffic Chief, the Force is available to work with businesses, including construction companies that need to move building materials but usually cause obstruction on the roadways. He urged them to reach out to the GPF for assistance, so that these movements can be regulated and not cause hindrances to other road users as well as create traffic congestion.
Other traffic concerns include speeding, and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, among other things. Similarly, Singh posited that the Police Force is not “anti-social and anti-entertainment”, and while they intend to enhance their presence at these events, they also need patrons to play their part.
“We will deploy to meet the demand of the day based on what we have, and we expect you to play your part too. And we will be looking at speeding and DUI, and at you – for your inattentiveness. I encourage you to pay attention to what you’re doing. Use the road with care and caution,” the Traffic Chief admonished.
Like Georgetown, similar arrangements are being put in place to have heightened Police presence at crime hot spots and main commercial zones such as markets and shopping areas in all the other regional divisions. (G-8)