Region 3 Police host seminar on ‘Community Oriented Policing’

…large turnout by CPG

The Guyana Police Force’s Regional Division Number Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) hosted an interactive seminar last Sunday on ‘Community Oriented Policing’.

Held at Barnwell Events Space and Hotel on the East Bank of Essequibo, the event was attended by executive members of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) across Region Three. It was organised by the Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, and Deputy Commander Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud.
The seminar focused on addressing issues and challenges faced by the Community Policing Groups within the Region, such as lack of vehicles and other resources to effectively function. Strategies and ways in which the policing groups and Police in the Region can continue working together to deter crimes and traffic-related issues were discussed as well.
In attendance were the Commander, Deputy Commander, their team of Sub-Divisional Officers, Executive Members, and representatives of the CPGs and special invitees. Head of the Police Force’s Communications Unit, Mark Ramotar, Regional Vice Chairman Omesh Satyanand, and President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan, all delivered brief remarks, in which they lauded the regional Police and CPG for their continued collaboration, which has seen a considerable reduction in crime and accidents.
Commander Watts outlined a strategic crime-fighting plan for Region Three, and spoke about efforts being made to foster and strengthen ties between the Police and the communities.
He said security cameras would be placed at strategic points on the West Bank and West Coast public roads.
On the issue of traffic management, Watts also noted that “we are doing the best with the resources we have in Region Three in terms of traffic management on a daily basis.
“We have our operation at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, where we have two double lanes going in the morning starting from 5:30, and that is going well… we have been getting some positive feedback on this.”
The Regional Commander further stated that the division is expecting a few new vehicles, and once received, two will be dispatched to the islands of Wakenaam and Leguan.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commander Persaud, who chaired the seminar, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the crime and traffic situation in the Region, highlighting a reduction in the various crimes and accidents when figures are compared for the same period between 2020 and 2021.
In 2020, there were six murders, 21 cases of robbery under arms (firearm used), seven cases of robbery with aggravation, five cases of rape, and four burglaries. During the same period this year, however, there have been four murders – a decrease of 33.3 per cent; 18 robbery under arms – a 14 per cent decrease; no robbery with aggravation – a 100 per cent decrease; two rapes – a 60 per cent decrease, and two cases of burglary – 50 per cent decrease.
The Deputy Command also outlined that there has been a 69 per cent increase in serious accidents, a 7.69 per cent spike in damage accidents; as well as a 100 per cent decrease in fatal accidents.
According to Persaud, during the reporting period, the division has not recorded any fatal accident for the year compared to the period January 1 to May 31, 2020, when eight cases were recorded. The Region recorded its first road fatality on Tuesday when 12-year-old Varshanie Ramroop was struck and killed by a pick-up vehicle on the East Bank Essequibo Public Road.