The Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s beefing up of security in Georgetown is not hinged on the US Embassy recently warning its officials to exercise caution when visiting the Stabroek and Bourda Markets. In fact, according to the Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, the embassy’s timing is purely coincidental, since anti-crime strategies were being implemented in the city without “fanfare” since November last, long before the embassy’s notice.
His proffered this response after it was pointed out that the force’s push seems to have been prompted by the embassy’s security alert, and not by previous repeated concerns raised by Guyanese regarding the crime situation at the markets.
If in fact, the force had been rolling out measures since November 2021, then the embassy’s caution would suggest that crime is still rampant. Benn’s “clarification”, therefore, still leaves questions regarding the police’s competence in controlling crime in those highly commercial zones.
The embassy’s notice said that “the City of Georgetown is rated ‘critical’ for crime. Incidents of robberies, sexual assault, vehicle accidents and homicides have occurred, particularly in high-risk areas after dark.
It went on to recommend that U.S. mission personnel should not visit the Stabroek Market unaccompanied. Furthermore, Mission personnel have been advised to use extreme caution when visiting Bourda Market during the day and may not independently visit Bourda Market at night.
It recommended its personnel to: minimize movements after dark; to keep a low profile; be aware of their surroundings; provide colleagues and family with daily plans; not to leave any valuables in vehicles; physically resist any robbery attempt; and to report crimes or attempted crimes immediately to the local police.
Two days after the notice, the police force hierarchy met this morning with the Georgetown Mayor to discuss the implementation of strategies to bring public safety to the market areas.
Both representatives of the two agencies, in the company of other officers, commenced a strategy walkabout in the Stabroek Market area and began to map out strategies for collaboration and policing in and around the public thoroughfares.
The force has committed to providing resources to the City Council to have visible police presence in the areas and will continue further collaborative efforts to enhance public safety.
Which race commits most of these crimes? Will it be racism to identify them?