“We want to ensure that the citizens and other persons who will be in the Division for the season be as safe as possible in doing transactions even (if it’s) just a visit or whatever,” said A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander Marlon Chapman.
Commander Chapman gave the assurance on Monday during the Guyana Police Force (GPF) annual Christmas presentation held at the Officers’ Mess Hall, Eve Leary, Georgetown. According to Chapman, Police patrols and outposts around the city will be boosted in a bid to ensure a secure shopping environment.
Chapman revealed that part of the efforts to ensure increased safety is the splitting of Georgetown into seven sub-sections as compared to six last year.
These sub-sections run from Agricola, Greater Georgetown to Georgetown.
The areas will be equipped with mobile outposts and frequent patrols will occur, with senior members of the GPF in charge of each sub-sector.
Chapman added that the commercial shopping zones would be covered in the
A Division Commander Marlon Chapman
heightened security plan so that citizens could shop in comfort.
“This sector (Section One) is considered the primary commercial area in the city of Georgetown, and consists of major business entities, banks, restaurants, night clubs and Stabroek Market. In order to adequately police this sector, booths, foot patrols, and vehicular patrols will be deployed.”
Section Two is bordered by Hadfield Street; Punt Trench Dam (Independence Boulevard); Camp Street, and Demerara River and includes a number of businesses, hotels and even markets. Two Police booths and two patrols will be available.
Section Three is bordered by Croal Street, Vlissengen Road and Camp Street and the Seawall. As this sector includes Government Ministries and businesses, it will feature four Police booths, and patrols will be done day and night.
Section Four is bordered by South Road, Princes Street, Vlissengen Road and Camp Street/Russell Street. This area, which is highly populated with small businesses, will see Police patrolling on foot and cycle.
Meanwhile, the area bound by Princes Street, Sheriff Street, Vlissengen Road and the Seawall is Section Five.
“This sector, apart from being considered a residential area, also consists of a number of business entities. Policing arrangements in this sector will consist of four foot patrols, motorcycle and vehicular patrols by day and night,” the Commander stated.
Section Six – bordered by Duncan Street, Eastern Highway, Sheriff Street, and the Seawall, which is both a residential and business area, will see foot, motorcycle and vehicular patrols day and night.
The new section – bound by Punt Trench; Flour Mill Road, East Bank Demerara; Eccles-Agricola Public Road and the Demerara River, includes Meadow Bank Wharf. This sector will be policed by foot, motorcycle and vehicular patrols.
According to the Divisional Commander, foot patrols will be conducted from 07:00h to 13:00h and 12:00h to 19:00h by the various responsible officers. Vehicular and motorcycle patrols will be conducted on a 24-hour basis.
“Our intention is to police major commercial areas in order to minimise criminal activities, to regulate traffic congestion and to minimise all categories of road accidents. To provide a safe and secure environment for our citizens, visitors, businesses and commuters,” he said.
Meanwhile, to reduce traffic congestion, Traffic Chief Linden Isles said two crash trucks will be towing away illegally parked vehicles, among others.
For this exercise, the GPF will be working along with DJs, City Constabulary, youth organizations, taxi services, the business community and several other stakeholders.
