The Guyana Police Force has reported a 15 per cent comparative decline in serious crimes thus far in the year and boasted about this spiking ‘clear-up’ rate.
Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Commissioner of Police (Ag) David Ramnarine disclosed that from January 1 to August 23, the Police Force has recorded a 15 per cent reduction in serious crimes compared to the same period last year.
However, the acting Top Cop posited that the decrease came with challenges, hence it was even more encouraging to know that within recent times the Force’s clear-up percentage, which used to be 20 to 25 per cent, has now moved to some 58 per cent: “I recall this, it was a serious matter. Our clear up percent in terms of us being able to solve the crime, prepare a file, send it for advice and have a charge placed in the court was about 20 to 25 per cent but now is 58 per cent; that’s very encouraging.”
According to Ramnarine, some 91 murders were recorded thus far this year, reflecting an 11 per cent decrease over the 101 cases recorded in 2015.
Of the 101 cases last year, disorderly accounted for 40 murders, robbery/murder for 15, domestic related for 12, execution-type for six and 26 murders were categorised as unknown; while so far this year, there were four execution-type murders, 19 robbery/murders, 16 domestic-related and 30 disorderly murders.
As it relates to robbery, the acting Top Cop noted that the ‘levelling-off’ of robbery under arms involving firearms over the comparative period is of concern. He noted at the Force’s performance group meeting a few days ago with the Divisional Commanders, they renewed commitment to ensure that these figures do not increase, given the fact that robbery under arms where firearms are used saw 473 cases recorded during the corresponding period last year. “This is not a good sign at all,” the acting Commissioner posited.
Moreover, there were 32 cases of simple robberies last year compared to 28 this year and armed robberies with other instruments saw 232 cases last year compared to 206 this year, representing an 11 per cent decrease.
In addition, break and enter and larceny recorded a 21 per cent decrease with 1029 cases in the corresponding period last year and only 814 this year.
Meanwhile, a total of 46 firearms were seized from January to August 20, that is, 23 pistols, 13 revolvers and 10 shotguns. The highest number of seizures was recorded in ‘A’ Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) with 20 seizures, while ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) followed with 12.
On the other hand, in relation to traffic, the acting Top Cop disclosed that there has been an increase in the number of fatal accidents as well as road deaths.
He disclosed that fatal accidents saw a 25 per cent increase for this year, when compared to the entire 2015. Last year, there were 106 fatal accidents compared to some 81 fatal accidents already recorded for 2016.
In terms of road deaths, in 2015, there were 126 for the entire year while so far this year some 86 deaths have been recorded.
“So comparatively, we have a 25 per cent increase in fatal accidents and a nine per cent increase in deaths,” Ramnarine stated.
He went on to outline that the categories of road users mostly affected by accidents are: pedestrians, 42 during the course of last year and 25 occupants/passengers. In 2016, pedestrians remain on top with 27 while motorcyclists ranked at 19.
According to the acting Commissioner, reports revealed that most of the fatal accidents occur on weekends, around the time of 12:00h to midnight, which was the same pattern recorded last year.
Additionally, last year some 2626 cases were made out against drunk drivers; while so far this year some 1139 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases have been made out, with a 65 per cent conviction rate.
On this note, Ramnarine lauded the campaign where the photos of drunk drivers are published, stating that “it’s all intended to be a deterrent, not to embarrass people but to drive the message home.”
Furthermore, in 2015 a total of 23,934 speeding cases were recorded while in 2016, some 17,508 were recorded, along with a 40 per cent conviction.
The acting Top Cop acknowledged that the Force’s Traffic Department needs additional manpower based on the distribution of the ranks in that department countrywide. He informed that this will be addressed in the near future.
He pointed out that there is currently a CCTV domain at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, where some 123 cameras in and around the city are being monitored.
He further stated that since the establishment of the domain, some 746 cases have been made out; however while most of the cases are largely related to traffic offences, there were 10 cases involving robbery under arm, two for murders and one for abduction that were made out. (Vahnu Manickchand)
