This week on What the People Say Berbicians commented on what they would like the new Police commander of the division to do to help fight crime and make Berbice a safer place.
Interviews and photos
by Shabna Ullah
Wilfred Wallerson, West Berbice resident
‘Everybody knows that crime is on the increase in this country and would want to see it reduced. We also know that it cannot be stopped completely. We would have to give the new commander our support because we would benefit from whatever he does. I think he should see that the police come out more and do more patrols and build a better relationship with the public. You know there are some simple issues that the police can just warn you about but they charge you for it. Police today are not like those of yesteryear; they used to investigate matters. I can tell you that I had a personal problem with somebody. The person was wrong to me but he got to the station before me and made a report and by the time I got there the police started to harass me. When I showed them my side of the story, I eventually had to turn back and beg for the person. A man stole some of my sheep and he was caught with the animals. He was charged and put before the court. The matter ran for one year and when the magistrate asked the police if they were ready to proceed they said no that the file gone to the DPP for advice. The magistrate dismissed the case.’
Kamla Swhenand, vendor,
‘I think the commander should reinforce the police officers; that’s the way to start. As long as he starts from there then we would get some help. The ranks should be out on the road on school days, especially in the mornings and afternoons. That is the time we need them more because the road is not safe for our children. Another thing too is that persons are afraid to leave their homes because you get robbed in the day much-less in the night. Idle youths look at every opportunity to break into people’s homes. When you go to the station to make a report, the police don’t always take the complaints seriously. Then you have to wait for days, not even hours, for them to come and do an investigation.’
Abdool Azeez,
`I would like the commander to ensure that his officers keep the place peaceful and quiet. The officers also need to do more patrols, especially at nights. I also think that they need to behave in a more professional manner to that they can earn the respect of the citizens. They do not respond to reports in a timely manner; they would say they are coming but sometimes they never reach.’
Rohan Ramsundar,
`I don’t think we have so much major crime now in Berbice but I would like the commander to visit the communities and get to know the people and what is affecting them. Some persons may have problems with some of the police but they don’t know who to turn to. I also think the neighbourhood police should take their roles more seriously and do not take sides with persons because they are familiar with them.’
Conway, interior worker,
`For the commander to make Berbice a safer place he needs to put some police in certain corners of the roadways. Then there are some persons on the road that the police need to get rid of; they are always looking for trouble. If we call the police and tell them about these people, sometimes they don’t come on time. My area needs a community centre so that in the afternoons when the children get home from school they would go there. This would help to keep them away from crime. He should also visit the areas to get to know who is who and what is what and be able to sort out people and keep a close attention on them. He should also be humble; not like some ranks who would go and bully people.’
Lakeram Persaud, farmer,
`For the past three years, Bush Lot became miserable with noise nuisance. On Christmas Eve night and on Old Year’s night some persons set up big music systems and people couldn’t even rest in their own houses. The police did not stop these people with the music but when the cars and minibuses play loud music the police would lock them up. The noise from these music sets is a burning issue for me right now. I called the Fort Wellington Police station and was told that no officer was available. So if the new commander can do something about this, residents would get a lot of relief. On Old Year’s night thief broke into my neighbours’ house while they were out. Because of the noise I did not hear anything. It happened that they came home and met a man in the house. Even though they reported the matter to the police, nothing was done about it and the man is still walking free.’
Rose Mohabir, businesswoman,
`To me the best way for the commander to make Berbice safer would be for him to meet with the residents from time to time and listen to their concerns. Many times the officers and the neighbourhood police are offered bribe and they do not do their jobs in a professional manner. Sometimes when persons go to the station with certain complaints the police would send them back to the village to report to the Neighbourhood Police. When you go to them at Bush Lot and other areas they would have favouritism and there is no justice. Some of them even take bribe and they don’t take your complaints. I think the commander should look at all these problems to make Berbice a safer place.’
Gregory Cort, boxing coach/vendor,
`The commander can do a lot of things to make Berbice safer like checking on the corrupt officers. I would say though that crime has eased up a lot in the Rose Hall area because they have a lot of Neighbourhood Police. They need to be out more though to help out the communities because there is a lot of domestic violence and other violence among the young people going on. They had planned for these neighbourhood ranks to be out during the holidays but I think that it should be continued. A programme was started for the commanders to go out and talk to people in the communities but after the elections I did not really see anything going on. He needs to come out and reach with the people.’
Joseph Albert, mason,
`To me crime is mostly committed by the youths who are idle and efforts should be made to get them off the streets. If it is tackled from that level then Berbice can be a better place. There should be more activities for the youths to keep them occupied. Lack of employment is one of the factors contributing to their negative behaviour. The police should be more alert of these youths who form themselves into gangs. They should also go into the neighbourhoods and deal with the people who are selling drugs.’
Ameena Gaffar, businesswoman,
‘I noticed that lately the major crimes in Berbice have eased and I think that is because the previous commander had tried to break up gangs and eradicate drug trafficking. I believe this new commander would do well if he continues with the same initiatives and even put better strategies in place. Many communities still have persons selling illegal drugs and although the police know about this they are not making an effort to do anything about it. People are selling the drugs to youths knowing that these young people are destroying their lives and even have to steal money – first from home and then from others – to pay for it. Residents are still being affected by petty crimes in their areas and the police should pay more attention to those reports.
Residents also need to assist the commander by forming themselves into vigilante groups and by making reports to him about drug gangs. Laws should also be enforced about the loud music in minibuses.’
