Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has deployed extra forces to Berbice to address crime in the county.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Ramjattan confirmed that a Joint Special Operations Group, including army and police, members of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit, and detectives from ‘A’ Division were sent.
He emphasised that there was a need not only for patrols but also quality detective work as he explained that several senior detectives were included in the deployment. He said their presence saw a positive effect and he pointed to the new lead that police had uncovered in the recent murder of the Number 45 village cash crop farmer Pamela Kendall, whose husband was yesterday charged with her murder.
“That’s the kind of quality work we would want to see the police do,” he said.
While Ramjattan was positive that the force will make a dent in the crime rate, he reiterated once more that it will take time.
Last week, Corentyne residents staged a demonstration along the Number 45 Village Public Road to protest a recent upsurge in criminal attacks, including the murder of Kendall.
The residents called on the new government to address the crime situation in the area immediately and urged an increased police presence in the communities along the Corentyne. The protestors claimed that every night a family is a victim of some sort of criminal attack. “Bandits have been causing havoc in their community with innocent people losing their lives at the hands of these fearless perpetrators,” said one of the protestors.
Ramjattan yesterday also emphasised the need for members of the force to have better resources and better working conditions. On the latter point, he noted that in tackling the crime rate the police officers have to feel more comfortable and have to be treated better. “We have to better the institutions… and enhancing the police comfort level in getting the job done will pay off. You need better conditions for the policemen. You go there and the toilets are in a mess, the bedroom facilities are in shabby conditions,” he said, while adding that the current conditions that some of the police officers are forced to endure has a negative impact on their work. He highlighted the plans to rehabilitate the police stations and to provide better facilities and housing.
