Dear Editor,
Crime is more preventable than Covid -19 was but the simultaneous escalation of these two is like enduring a nightmare from which it is difficult to wake. Covid -19 is insidious but we can hope that the measures in place will eventually eradicate it, however, could we hope to decrease our increasing crime rate? We are seeing a resurgence in homicides and narco-trafficking. These murders are mainly in the form of domestic violence, those arising from the intake of alcohol and last but not least, and robberies. We could attribute the upsurge in violence to the economic collapse within families and social structures, caused by Covid -19.
A legal luminary of Guyanese birth now residing in the USA, asked me what is the biggest obstacle, beginning with a “C”, to the development of Guyana and a deterrent to members of the diaspora returning here. I replied saying “corruption,” then in a flash, I said “crime.” “Yes” he said, “crime.” The crime rate is now as high as any other time in our history. When will it end or de-escalate? We are aware of the numerous frustrations which have arisen in people due to Covid-19. Many people are now in a fight for scarce resources such as employment, goods and services. Domestic violence is at an unprecedented level, which could be attributed to the confinement of people, or increased time spent, in their homes. The viciousness of the attacks are revolting and not restricted by age, gender or ethnicity among perpetrators or victims. The amount of social ills that stem from these repulsive and deadly attacks and robberies are counterproductive. The activities and the people the victims leave behind, suffer incalculable loss and create hardship. Suicides, depression, malaise, incompetence, job loss, medical expenses and broken homes are just a few of the after-effects.
Any other attempt to improve the lives and livelihoods of Guyanese will pale in significance if the crime rate is not seriously addressed and tremendously reduced. A large allotment from the national budget needs to go towards revamping the police force and establishing an elite body which will enforce law and order and command respect from the populace. This will require an examination of those within the organization and those to be employed in the future. Salaries will have to be substantially increased. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), governments are responsible for the health of their people, which can only be achieved by the adoption of sufficient social measures. Their constitution states that health is a state of complete mental, physical and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) sets out the rights and freedoms we should all enjoy. There are thirty articles and some of these are, the freedom to life (Art. 3), freedom from torture (Art.5), nobody has the right to enter our home without good reason (Art.12), to move freely in our country (Art. 13), to live in a peaceful and orderly society (Art.28) and no government should act in a way to destroy the rights and freedoms of the UDHR (Art.30). We are not living in a bubble and if we are to expand our minds and economy and attract people to Guyana, the prevention of crime must be tackled without further delay, aggressively and sedulously.
Sincerely,
Conrad Barrow
