Region 10 Police Division rolls out Christmas Policing Plan

– to place focus on crime & traffic

The Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Police Division rolled out its Christmas Policing Plan on Tuesday, and its focus is on crime and traffic.
The Plan, which would be in effect from November 15, 2020 to January 15, 2021, was presented at a ceremony hosted at the Constabulary Hall in Linden in the presence of Regional stakeholders.

Region 10 Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter, in delivering opening remarks, assured those present that the plan would ensure the security and safety of all citizens within Region 10 as they go about their activities during the Christmas season.
“It is noted, an increase of Police presence in the business shopping area and communities generally. Our ranks are involved in foot, vehicular, bicycles, motorcycle, ATV and marine patrols. Under the COVID-19 gazetted order, we’re also mandated to carry out functions under those guidelines… Collectively, we are expected to be extremely vigilant at this time, since there will be an increase in financial activities during the period…I can assure you that the ranks in Region 10 will be in full strength…”, the Regional Commander declared.

According to Winter, Policing at this time would be based on a joint effort between enforcement officers and residents of the various communities. Further, he thanked members of the Community Policing Group (CPG) for their continued support to crime prevention, and appealed to the general public to be cautious and to observe the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines during the holidays.
Deputy Regional Police Commander Wayne DeHearte, in presenting the Plan, reminded that the mandate of the Guyana Police Force is to detect and prevent crime, as well as the preservation of law, order and peace among other things.
He said that around this time there will be heightened social activities, road traffic and visitors to the community, as well as the likelihood of an increase in opportunistic crimes. As such, he noted that the Division aims to provide a safe and secure environment by addressing the occurrence of criminal activities.
“Our main focus…the most heightened activity for this period is the financial activity…Also, we have a mandate to look at increase of activities in the business area and the business sectors throughout Region 10…We are operating in the presence of the pandemic, and the Guyana Police Force, at the jumpstart when COVID hit, we focused and continue to focus on maintaining safe communities”, he noted.
The Plan also aims at reducing traffic congestion and preventing road accidents. According to the Plan, there will be intelligence-led operations, including cordon and search exercises, enhanced Police community relationship in an effort to solve crimes, an increase in anti-crime and traffic patrols, increased raids and road blocks, and stops-and-searches.
DeHearte noted that the Division will network with other divisions and agencies to execute its plan. The monitoring of Post Offices and vulnerable areas is also high on the agenda. DeHearte noted that with the increase in traffic, the Traffic Department aims to maintain effective traffic flows throughout the Division, particularly in business areas.
As a result, the Department will collaborate with the Regional Road Safety Association to promote “zero accidents”. The Division hopes to achieve this by means of educating the public, making roadways safer through enhanced road signs and markings, traffic enforcement, seminars, and community engagements.
DeHearte noted that the Traffic Department last Sunday repainted and enhanced road markings in Linden.