Safety First

 

It is the season of goodwill but it is also a season of greed. Christmas season can bring out the very best and, unfortunately, the very worst in people. Research has shown that during festive periods, crime wave goes up. This is because there is an increase in the movement of persons, increase in commercial and social activities and this makes it easy for criminals to commit crimes.

The majority of the people who celebrate this time of year have the very best of intentions. They exchange gifts with friends and families and show their charitable bent by donating to those less fortunate. Then there are those who use the activity of this time of year to prey on others. These include shoplifters, the ones who break into parked cars and steal items, the ones who snatch purses and burglarise homes.

These are the modern-day equivalents of the Grinch. At this time consumers, businesses and citizens should be extra-diligent at this time to protect themselves, their homes, their purchases and their neighbours. By being extra watchful during shopping trips and by keeping purchases hidden in a vehicle trunk, individuals can be better assured of a safe shopping experience. By being alert to unusual vehicles and to strangers in your neighbourhood, you can notify Police so law enforcement can head off crimes before they happen.

In as much as citizenry depend on the Police Force for protection, there is also the need to take personal responsibility.

Last month, the Guyana Police Force announced a comprehensive security plan for the period between November 15, 2016, and January 15, 2017, which entailed strategies to be taken to counter any plans by criminal elements to take away the joy and peace of the Christmas season.

According to the Police, not only will officers in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) be doing their best to prevent the possible rise in crime during this period, but steps will also be taken by the Traffic Department to monitor traffic flow, which is bound to build-up during this time. Roadblocks and stop-and-search exercises also remain a feature and posture of the Police Force during this time.

During this Christmas season, ranks on patrol will be working shifts, beginning from as early as 07:00h, when they will be briefed and sent to their various posts. By noon, the other shift will be signed on, causing a one-hour overlapping so as to cater for the increase in the number of persons who may be leaving their offices and other places of business to do shopping during their lunch break.

Added to this, the city is to be divided into five sectors for adequate policing, and officers assigned to those sectors will have a better hands-on approach in overseeing their respective spans of control. All sectors will be headed by assistant Police superintendents, who will be assisted by cadet officers or Police inspectors as availability dictates.

The force also assured that there would be an increase in foot and vehicle patrols around the city, particularly at hot spots such as banks, hotels, nightspots and other business places. These measures will extend to the city’s markets, which are usually bustling at this time. To complement these efforts, A Division has also been partnering with the City Constabulary to ensure that incidents of crime are minimised in the markets as well. Constables have also been helpful in apprehending persons who have been soliciting passengers. The division said too that they will be adjusting its arrangement so as to accommodate the high level of activities on December 22, 24, 29 and 31

These measures are welcome and although they are reassuring, members of the community should feel free to approach the Police for any form of assistance and also to provide vital information that would help prevent crime or lead to the arrest of criminals.

Everyone needs to watch out for the bad guys this Christmas season as we can be sure they are watching us.