The police say that since the launching of a safe community project in Albouystown no serious crimes have occurred and the police are satisfied with how it has gone so far.
It said that seven men have since been arrested and charged for narcotics related offences involving a total of 188 grams of marijuana. Further, an unlicensed .45 pistol was recovered during an attempted robbery on a business place at Albouys Street which was thwarted by the quick response of the police.
The police today issued the following press release on the project:
The Guyana Police Force has been encouraged by the developments that have taken place and the support received since the launching of the Impact Albouystown Project on Friday April 11, 2014, which seeks, through law enforcement services and social intervention activities, in partnership with a number of stakeholders including religious and community leaders of Albouystown, to work towards the development of the community into what we term a “safe neighbourhood”.
Part of the focus in keeping with law enforcement, and which was explained by the acting Commissioner Mr. Seelall Persaud, DSM, at the official launching, treats with crime and disorder with heavy emphasis on gun crimes and would therefore necessitate foot patrols and stop and search operations among other activities.
The patrols in the Albouystown community commenced on Saturday April 12, 2014. Seven men have since been arrested and charged for narcotics related offences involving a total of 188 grams of marijuana; an unlicensed .45 pistol was recovered during an attempted robbery on a business place at Albouys Street, Albouystown, which was thwarted by the quick response of the police. The perpetrator, who had opened fire on the responding police ranks, has been arrested and will be charged for court shortly.
No serious crimes have occurred in the Albouystown community since the launching of the project.
It was noted in one of the daily newspapers that persons complained that the police were searching the bags of children going to school. The Police Force wishes to advise that when the Impact Albouystown Project was launched schools were closed and no such searches took place.
In keeping with the thrust to assist youths in the Albouystown community with vocational skills training, some 60 children between the ages of 7 and 16 years will commence a Foundation Course in Information Technology, today Saturday April 19, 2014, at the Guyana Police Force Zara Computer Centre at Eve Leary. They will be transported to and from classes with the assistance of the Police Force.
Also, on Tuesday April 22, 2014, a Cosmetology training programme will commence at the Heavenly Light World Outreach Fellowship for a number of females.
The police have been very appreciative of the significant early support from the business community towards the implementation of the Impact Albouystown Project, with donations of cash, computers, foodstuff, cosmetics and garbage bins being made. A number of pledges have also been received.
A monthly donation of 10,000 pounds of rice made by a rice miller will greatly assist the feeding programme presently being conducted by the religious community in Albouystown, and the monthly donation of $200,000.00 worth of cosmetics by another businessman will serve to support the cosmetology training programme and other activities.
A Steering Committee, which includes senior police officers and leaders in the Albouystown community, has been established and will be meeting on a monthly basis.
A significant part of the Police Force’s efforts in this initiative is aimed at empowering youths of the Albouystown community to develop skills in order to be productive and make proper decisions. We do expect some resistance from persons who are benefitting from criminology in the community.
