Protectors of criminals should be prosecuted

The untimely death of Prison Officer Odinga Wickham during the recent conflagration and mayhem at the Camp Street Prison location brings to light again the precarious, life-threatening conditions our security service ranks face every day in the line of duty.

One can only imagine the devastation of families of security ranks killed in the line of duty, as well as the victims of thieves and murders; but the relatives and supporters of the perpetrators are aptly described by the local colloquialism ‘Wrong and Strong’, which defines the contentious attitudes of relatives and sympathizers of the deadly killers, whose murderous rampages have left many homes destitute of precious lives and possessions.
Seeking to blame the police for the demonic actions of their relatives merely adds to the vileness of those persons who seek to justify the robbery/murder of vulnerable and other innocent victims in the sanctity of their homes, or in the perpetrators’ pursuit of their respective endeavours.
Among the throngs who attend the funerals of the two-legged killers who finally meet their demise, and condemn the police ranks who take them out, are obviously many who provide/d them with shelter and succour in exchange for some of their booty, or for some other gain.
And while the actual bandits paid the ultimate price for their crimes, these aiders and abettors are no less culpable for the deaths and destruction of the lives of innocent persons, targeted by these monsters for sometimes indecipherable reasons. The instigators and planners are also culpable. Not much encouragement would be necessary for these indisputably merciless beasts in human form to pursue what they perceive as easily-acquired riches, especially when they are provided the wherewithal to do so in the form of arms, ammunition, and a network of relatives and supporters to provide food, shelter and transportation in exchange for a share of the loot.
Most likely, while the intent would have been present, it probably would not have solidified into reality without encouragement and assistance, as well as a promise of vindication – in whatever form that takes.
The attempts to lionize these criminal beings are indications of degradation in the human psyche, best described by Dante. The victims of these killers are members of every race and every political and religious persuasion in Guyana.
The rampages of the “jailbreak gang” and subsequent gangs, including those of Lindon ‘Blackie’ London and Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, are well-documented.
In 1959, one named Cuffy was killed by the police after a desperate manhunt.  A policeman was killed during this encounter, while others were wounded. Cuffy’s own family had refused his body, and he was buried as a pauper because his father, who was a poor cartman, rejected a son who had shamed him by making crime his profession.
But that was when Guyanese were proud and decent, with lofty ideals and high standards, whether rich or poor.
Some sections of society today do not care how their jobless relatives acquire riches overnight, once they can benefit. And certain sections of the media do not care if they cause a conflagration in the land if they could profit by incendiary reporting.
The contention of some persons — that the killers should be captured for questioning, even while they were firing at police — would be ludicrous if it did not have such serious implications, such as policemen and victims losing their lives, or being seriously injured instead.
Psyched by preceding instances of death and injury to ranks and the evasive strategies of criminals — with ample assistance from a criminal-minded society, as well as the criticism of society and the media — the joint services often have no recourse but a spontaneous conclusion to unrelenting manhunts that span the country, leaving countless casualties in their wake.
Ranks are often engaged in deadly confrontations with criminals, who are famous for pulling every trick in the book to make evasive and successful escape bids.
Self-defence is an automatic reaction to brutal forces and the unknown factor of possible accomplices, which create a climate for a spontaneous response to the dynamics of the battle, which is to shoot to kill.  The criminals made their choice when they opted to pursue careers in criminality.
Stealing and subverting the truth are both dishonest acts. Some in society –including in sections of the media — are adept at the latter, regardless of the cost to society.  Criminality is relative, and there are many masquerading behind the guise of decency who are just as culpable as those who pull the triggers, or those who light the fires and cause literal and figurative conflagration in communities.