The Guyana Police Force has dispatched 251 Police ranks across Georgetown and other areas as part of its Christmas Policing Plan.
The Officers will be doing patrol work across the city on a 24-hour basis with the primary intention of keeping citizens, their properties and visitors safe during the festive season.
In his address during the launch of the policing plan today, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Commander of Division Four (A), Simon McBean said Guyanese can expect an increase in foot, bicycle, motorcycle, vehicular and drone patrols throughout the division as the Force heightens security in the country.
“We intend to reduce crime, fear of crime, traffic accidents and congestion during this period,” he told reporters and business men and women present at the launch.
Georgetown, he said, will be divided into 15 sections covering commercial, industrial, tourist and residential areas.
“Georgetown will be divided into 15 sectors, consisting of foot, bicycle, vehicular, marine, canine and mounting patrols. Each sector will be commanded by an officer – an inspector – along with adequate ranks. Heightened intelligence led special operations, and heightened focus on noise nuisance, also special emphasis will be placed on commercial and residential areas,” Commander McBean said.
On a 24-hour basis, the Police ranks with the use of bicycles, motorcycles, and motor vehicles, will be manning the Division with major focus on the commercial hubs and tourist sites. There will also be heightened security at the country’s ports of entry including the Cheddi Jagan and Eugene F. Correia International Airports.
Commander McBean said in total, there will be 82 patrols within a 24-hour period complemented by another 82 traffic patrols in the division.
He urged residents and shoppers, alike, to be alert as they go about their daily activities.
“Be alert and aware of your surrounding at all times, and this is pointing to shoppers. Carry only what is needed, conceal your valuables and consider alternative options of payment which is a wise thing to do during this period…Install high quality security cameras, don’t keep more cash than is necessary on your premises, be security alert at all times, anything call 911. We are having a system now, where if you call 911 that would be relay to our operations centre, and that will be fed via radio to our ranks on beat, on the road,” the Commander urged.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, in his presentation, indicated that similar steps are being implemented across the other regions. He noted that there will be an increase in the deployment of uniformed and plain clothes ranks throughout the festive season; increase in mobile and foot patrols and fully operational police booths at strategic locations across the country. Focus, he said, will be placed on hot spots and commercial zones.
Meanwhile, Traffic Chief, Dennis Stephen said in anticipation of an increase in traffic, Police Traffic officers will be spread throughout the country. It was noted that many of them will be placed at key locations within commercial districts in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Vreed-en-Hoop, Parika, Bartica and Anna Regina.
He said in Georgetown, some streets will be blocked from vehicular traffic.
“We are looking at Robb Street, no entry for vehicular traffic, going east between Alexander and Bourda Streets. That’s for pedestrian only, no vehicle is allowed to proceed there. We are also looking at Bourda Street, no entry for vehicular traffic, between Regent and North Road,” he detailed.
The Traffic Department is also working with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation to allow for two-lane traffic across the bridge from 6:00hrs and 16:00hrs on a daily basis. Special provisions are also being put in place for trucks traversing the East Bank Demerara corridor to minimize accidents and prevent congestion.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken said the Police Force will be working closely with the Ministry of Public Works, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, MARAD and the City Constabulary to ensure the success of the plan. He assured commuters that minibuses, cars and other modes of transportation will not be stopped and held up in heavy traffic. He said to prevent commuters from being inconvenienced, delinquent drivers will be issued with tickets and or summons subsequently.
These police and traffic arrangements will be in place up until January 15, 2023.
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