Over 60% of criminal activities in Linden occur along Wismar shore – Police

… Mayor sounds alarm over distressing statistics

As the Guyana Police Force (GPF) begins to ramp up security measures ahead of the holiday season in Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon on Friday disclosed alarming statistics presented by the Police Force in relation to crime within the mining town.
Solomon on Friday delved into the crime landscape within the Mining town. Sharma who attended the launch of Linden’s Christmas Policing Programme on Thursday, noted that based on statistics, the Wismar shore accounts for more than 60 per cent of the crimes committed within the mining town.
“Yesterday we had compliments to Commander Nurse. An opportunity to see the police unveil their Christmas programme for 2024. How they intend to keep us safe during this busy season. Let me say one of the things that came out in the presentation yesterday from the police and I’m asking for a copy of that report I’m very concerned. Is that crime across Linden want us to listen to this? Crime across Linden. 70 per cent of the crime that occurs or just about 67 per cent of the crime takes place over at Wismar. That’s a very concerning statistic.”

The Mayor explained that a significant amount of these cases are gun-related incidents.
“That was given to us by the Guyana Police Force. That is 70 per cent. Of criminal activities. There about. Occurs over at the Wismar shore. Very troubling. And to compound that. Most of the crime. That occurs are gun-related. So those are the two things that stood out for me at the presentation.”
The Mayor attributed the high level of crime along the Wismar shore, to cultural history and stigmatisation. However, Soloman noted that there is an urgent need for systems to be established, to curb the crime rates on the Wismar shore.
“It’s a culture we have to do something about… we all know Wismar has always been stigmatised for many reasons and for those who know culturally how Wismar came into existence. It is one of those settlements where people came from all over Guyana. Those who came to Linden Would have settled over at the western side of the shore because they couldn’t come over on the eastern side. You had to get a pass or permit you had to be given the sort of clearance if you come over to Mackenzie, and you know some of those Impressions remain culturally in our community.”
Additionally, he also commended the GPF for their Christmas policing plan. Noting that citizens are very vulnerable to criminal activities, particularly theft during the holiday season.
“The Guyana Police Force, more so Commander Nurse have explained to us that they have a very detailed programme to ensure that in this heightened season of activities where people will be out doing more business, people will be out handling more resources, people will be away from their homes. Because they have to go do business shopping and other things. It’s good to see the Guyana Police Force having for us some level of preparation so that we can be safe in our homes. Those are also areas that we ask them to pay extra special attention to.”
Most recently, Police in the Region have launched an investigation into the murder of 56-year-old Nigel Somersall, a food stall owner from West Watooka and Wismar Housing Scheme in Linden, who had previously survived a shooting incident.
According to reports, Somersall was found dead next to his motorcycle on the side of the road.
It was reported that residents heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching Somersall’s home on West Watooka Hill Top, followed by what sounded like several gunshots.
Shortly after, witnesses reported hearing a loud noise, presumably from the motorcycle hitting the ground. Police were however called to the scene at about 05:30h but have not released additional information regarding suspect/s or potential motive.