One of the campaign promises of the APNU+AFC coalition was centred on the reduction of violent crime if that party came to power. The then ruling PPP/C countered that violent crime would increase if the coalition party came to power.
Eighteen months after achieving electoral licence at the polls the coalition government is yet to make good on its promises to reduce violent crime. This has seemingly emboldened the current opposition PPP/C whose leader in Parliament, Bharrat Jagdeo, recently put the Granger government under his microscope and claimed that “crime has never been this bad” as he sought to favourably compare the terms of the PPP/C in government to the current term of the Granger- led administration.
While Jagdeo’s pronouncement on crime, particularly violent crime, as handled by President Granger and his Minister of Public Security, must be taken with the proverbial grain of salt given the rampant criminality and killing during his term, including an allegedly state-sponsored extra judicial response to violent criminals, there certainly is much cause for alarm at the current level of violent crime. Scarcely a day goes by without some form of violent robbery or senseless killing being reported. Indeed, the age of the perpetrators or planners of violent crimes is alarmingly low, in some cases, mere teenagers, and their motivation even more alarmingly senseless insofar as what has been reported to drive some of the more bizarre murders.
The response by the Guyana Police Force which is beleaguered on all sides by one crisis or another, has not been effective in significantly reducing such crimes. The Minister of Public Security does not seem to have a clear cut approach to this most pressing of problems, and though there have been noticeable improvements in aspects of the functioning of the Guyana Police Force, we must keep in mind the familiar quote that the only way from rock bottom is up. Regrettably, the GPF has not gone very far up from rock bottom.
The theory that the new government’s clampdown on the drug trade has left many armed enforcers out of work, and that these are the ones turning to violent robbery to maintain their way of life, might have validity, however, it also points to the fact that the alleged clampdown on the drug trade has not placed any emphasis on nor made any preparation for this foreseeable side effect. It is quite likely that all these persons-of-interest are known to the Guyana Police Force and should be kept under close scrutiny.
The other proposition that rampant crime is nothing new and is borne out by the statistics viewed on a yearly basis is also valid. However, there is no consolation in this, as only politicians see benefit from blame shifting and name calling; meanwhile, the victims and their families are crying out for a reprieve from this rampant criminality.
Clearly, crime-fighting in Guyana, such as it is, needs a new formula and in addition to spearheading initiatives to effectively tackle the problem, we need political leadership across the board that is invested in taking decisive measures to stamp out this scourge which has seemingly embedded itself into our national psyche and our social systems and institutions.
We need leadership that will also pronounce on the less visible but equally reprehensible white collar crimes, since white collar criminals do employ blue collar criminals for protection and enforcement as occurred with the Thomas Carroll affair, in which he allegedly “employed” serving members of the Guyana Police Force to carry out certain blue collar crime “functions.”
When we strip away the self-serving rhetoric from the Opposition Leader’s statements we readily agree that the ongoing challenges with crime are real and critical. But, aside from articulating the administration’s failure to effectively tackle the problem, he must also show commitment to work along with the administration, putting political differences on the back burner, for the good of all the people of Guyana.
Importantly too, can our Parliament unite to carve out bi-partisan initiatives on crime-fighting? Citizens must hold their elected representatives to a higher standard, and look to see what meaningful initiatives are being put forward by each side, and which ones are being ignored for selfish reasons. The political Opposition must play a sensible, supporting role in a move towards mature discussions and steady action, rather than the current divisive approach to every issue and the reckless politicization of the critical matters such as crime reduction and public security.
We must all be concerned about the number of murders that are committed in our country and the robberies, rape and violence being perpetuated on the citizenry on an almost daily basis.
Just last week retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier General (rtd) Mark Phillips spoke about public concern on crime and the need for a partnership. “No one is safe from violent crimes and criminal activities,” he said, while emphasizing the need for us to “collaborate and cooperate, from the public and private sector to civil society and the citizenry.”
As articulated in the coalition government’s five-part strategy to address the escalating crime, this country requires the development of just, accountable and effective law enforcement and criminal justice institutions. On the practical side, we need community cooperation, conflict-resolution strategies and poverty eradication.
Now, the job of making sure everyone is safe can’t just be left up to the police. As studies, have shown, crime and gang activity is often fuelled by addictions, family violence, poverty, poor housing and other social issues these are the issues that will require more sustained efforts by all stakeholders.
Having said that it is the remit of the Guyana Police Force to investigate, make arrests, and enable the prosecution of criminals. It is the remit of the legal system to facilitate the prosecution and make a judgement and recommend punishment for crimes committed. Until the people can see this system working smoothly, there will be no confidence in the justice system and crime will continue to escalate.
The time for talk is over and action must be taken and those responsible must step up to the batter’s plate, or step down.
