The Guyana Police Force (GPF) two days ago commenced planning to enhance security at the Georgetown and Bourda Markets. The move came on the heels of a US Embassy Security alert cautioning personnel that the city was rated “critical for crime”.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, yesterday rubbished the notion that it had to take a US Embassy Security Alert to prompt the force to enact added measures. The embassy’s notice, according to him, was “coincidental” since the force has begun strengthening security in the city since November 2021.
But the Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’ – Georgetown, confirmed today that it was indeed the embassy’s warning that stemmed the intended implementation of measures.
When the contradiction between Benn’s explanation and the Division’s post was pointed out, the post was immediately amended.
The post initially read: “Coming out of the release from the US Embassy, Joint Patrols were rolled out between the Guyana Police and Georgetown Mayor and City Council, on Thursday, March 17th, at the Stabroek and Bourda Markets and their surroundings, in order of ensuring public safety.”
At the time this article was being published, the post was amended to read: “APACE TO BRINGING SAFETY TO MARKET THOROUGHFARES IN THE CITY. Joint Patrols were rolled out between the Guyana Police and Georgetown Mayor and City Council, on Thursday March 17th, at the Stabroek and Bourda Markets and their surroundings, in order of ensuring public safety.”
An examination of the edit history confirms this.
