- murders skyrocket 36%
The murder rate has shot up by 36% this year compared with the same period last year, a figure inflated by the mass killings at Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said yesterday.
Persaud, presenting crime statistics for the year, reported a 9% increase in serious crimes, with murder leading the way. There were 2,395 serious crimes this year, compared with 2,203 last year.
Figures show that from January 1 to October 31, 2008, there were 135 murders, while for the corresponding period last year there were 99, an increase on 36%. The 2008 figure includes the death toll of 31, from the Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek bloodbaths.
Forty of the murders recorded this year were carried out execution-style; 10 occurred during robberies; 21 were of a domestic nature; 40 occurred as a result of disorderly conduct; 21 are unknown; and three of the cases occurred under unknown circumstances.
‘E&F’ Division had the highest number of execution-style killings with 20, including the Bartica and Lindo Creek killings; followed by ‘C’ Division with 13, including the Lusignan massacre. ‘E&F’ Division has the highest murder rate overall.
Persaud also reported a 33% increase in armed robberies, with 252 cases for this year compared to 189 last year. Robbery involving the use of firearms was also prevalent during this year, up from 580 to 700, a 21% increase.
Persaud did, however, report a decrease in rapes, with 50 cases this year, compared with 70 last year, representing a 28% decrease. Burglaries were also down, with 52 this year, compared with 87 for 2007, a 40% decrease.
There has also been a decrease in the number of firearms seized this year. According to Persaud, 126 were seized so far as compared to 130 last year, with ‘A’ Division taking in 54 firearms, and ‘E&F’ Division, 35.
The Crime Chief stated that the force continues to face numerous challenges. These include gangs; the influx of tourists; organised crime-drug and firearm trafficking; illegal firearms in society, including missing army AK-47s; the expansion of economic activity in the interior; and the increase of economic and social activities, particularly in the city. However, Persaud said strategies such as training, intelligence-gathering, investigations, collaboration and intelligence-led operations will be used to tackle the challenges.
quite obvious it is, and at it’s highest peak, why is this? the home affairs minister is not doing his job in a proper manner, his failure to perform in the foreign ministry is just an exstension of his failure to perform at present.
Mr. Persaud – Thanks for your honesty – you are the man! Now you need to get that crime rate down!
John Smith – Are you involved in illegal activities? Is this your last will and testament to us bloggers? Should we expect to read about your demise in these pages? Are they trying to “squeeze” you? Let me know – I can get you asylum.
Sandhurst – Don’t mess with Arnold a.k.a. :the “Governator” because you will be “terminated”. Watch out homie!
DAW – Tell your friends the truth and take them to where the resort where the American ambassador son was having a ball – they would have a good time and would want to come back.
The police force continues to operate as it did in the 50’s and 60’s. Firstly, recruitment. the examination and interview process should be less rigerous for a two year period. Doing this will provide the force with agreater pool from which to draw potential policemen/women. These women/women will train for the first three months in basic policing and report writing. At the end of the three month period the potential policemen/women will write an examination based on their knowledge of the past months. Those who fail the exam will not be retained, but can apply again. Currently, this is done in the GPH for nurse trainees. I interviewed many young men in three villages and all of them longed for the chance to serve,but were detered by the entrance exam. I am positive that among those village boys who were not recruited, were potential leaders in the force if they were given a chance to serve.
Crime will forever be a part of any community,but the sucess or failure of any crime fighting body is their involvement in really understanding the issues that are responsible for a surge in crime. This brings me to my second point, especially as it relates to crime in Guyana. We can’t negate the stats, but try to understand their genisis. In Guyana classism is so rampant that many who want to work and are offered jobs think that accepting a particular job diminishes their status in society. For example, a young man offered a job to sweep a store in Regent street will refuse that job. If however, he is offered the same job in any ministry of the Government, he will accept it, even at a lower salary. The reason is, at the end of the day he can tell his friends that he is working at a particular ministry. Status.
The solution, therefore, is that we can minimize or eliminate the mind-set of these “hopeless” young people who turn to crime, by letting them know that every job is significant to the growth and development of the country. These same young men/women who are demonized by the police and others as hopeless migrate and become very productive. Why? Because they are given a chance to grow.
The Police is planning a Christmas campaign that will again focused on the “hopeless”. No different now than it was in the 60’s. ISNM
Amarie i agree with u but its not just the national service …..in the USA here on the streets u see army officers stopping youths in tryin to recuit them to join ….in guyana the can do the same cause our borders needs protection ….u just need some intellgent officers to encourage them to join …..we can even start them off from they schools so that when the do leave school they have an aim on what to they goin to be or do for their future …..just take a look of the age of some of these criminals …..some of these youths are been rough up innocently by the JS that turn them into harden criminals….these kids needs help ……Mr commissioner….Mr brigadier put ur men out there for 6 months and u will see the difference it makes …..bosses sits back and gives orders and thinks everything is fine …..but a leader works along to get things done …..so its better to be a leader than to be a boss
THIS IS FOR SOESDYKE; GUYANA DOES NOT NEED AN OBAMA. BECAUSE WHAT THE USA HAVE IS A BHARRAT JAGDEO IN OBAMA. GOD BLESS.
second that motion but dem ent seein it this way
Have you lost your mind equating Jagdeo to Obama???????
GT Peoples, crime is everywhere just global in scope. I lived for 25 years in the USA behind the protection of the home alarm companies. For 5 years I live in the hotbed of crime in Jamaica AND???? Grilles do not protect. You just use de third eye.
Enjoy your little lives for that is all oonu have.
Fire that incompetent minister.
No mercy for the merciless.
“Keep it “LIT
“Love and “Light”
Mr CRIME CHIEF,could you let us know how much Cocaine,Cannabis,and other drugs your department seized between January to the present date.How many cases were brought as a result of these seizures.How many policemen were charged with Criminal Offences.I am in receipt of some figures but I do not think those figures are right.With thanks. Keep up the good work.
yeah tell the people something that they dont already know and do it,they all contributed to the crime as far as i could see.
I agree with Soesdyke. My vote is for anyone, that’s for ALL the people! I personally dislike the way Burnham ruled Guyana, but it’s apparent that there is a revenge mind-state by the ruling party, for all that LFSB did. Guyana does not need racial exclusion. Guyana needs a fair democratic by-partisan process!
When think of Barack Obama, I think of the old forgotten saying: All for one, one for all.
WE PROBALLY HAVE TO SEND SOME OF THEM USED LENS FOR DEM.