The residents were at the time speaking during a ‘Face the Community’ meeting at Woodley Park last Friday. They told ‘B’ Division’s Deputy Commander Wrenford Johnson that drug use was also leading to domestic violence and child labour, which are also rampant in Berbice.
According to them some fathers have been neglecting their duties to their children, who in many instances have had to fend for themselves.
Johnson responded that drug gangs are a serious matter and would not be tolerated. He called on persons to contact the police with information and said all reports would be treated with strict confidence.
He promised that investigations would be conducted and “the necessary actions would be taken.” Johnson pointed out though that in the past the police have received false reports about drug gangs. It may turn out, he said, that the report would be a form of distraction and that after the patrol leaves to check on the gang, a robbery may be committed in another area. He warned persons against prank calls.
Some of the residents also complained about “stray dogs” destroying their livestock, resulting in huge losses. They were told to “protect your stocks even if it means getting rid of the dogs.” They also spoke about animals destroying their crops and posing a hazard on the roadways. Johnson said a pound is available at the Fort Wellington Police Station but residents said they were afraid of taking the animals to be impounded because of the potential backlash by their owners. To that, Johnson said the police have to work with the Regional Democratic Council and the Neighbour-hood Democratic Councils to curb the situation but they are having trouble employing stray-catchers. He hopes that more persons would be inclined to take the job as the government has announced an increase in the fees for such workers.
