SECURITY FORCES HAVE MEANS TO CAPTURE ARMED GANGS

 

The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is deeply disturbed by the robbery of the two Rose Hall banks and the trauma inflicted on residents by the same armed gang marauding on East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

We urge the security forces to ensure adequate deployment and enhanced operational effectiveness to apprehend these murderous criminals and increase the feeling of safety and security among the Guyanese population.

The PPP/C is well aware of the orders issued to the Joint Services by the President of Guyana to go after these criminal gangs. These orders enable full support by the Army for the civilian law enforcement agencies. The additional allocation of resources which amounts to in excess of $7.5 billion for 2006 is commendable. The PPP/C welcomes the move by the administration to seek additional international support in the form of the services of Mr. Bernard Kerik, former New York Commissioner of Police and President Bush’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security.

In light of the prevailing situation, an area of priority must be the reactivation of a special anti-crime squad to hunt and apprehend the criminal gangs consistent with police operational procedures and the laws of the country.

The enhanced anti-crime initiatives by the Government particularly, increased resources and a conducive policy environment provide for an adequate and effective crime response by our law enforcement agencies.

The `cat and mouse’ game by these armed gangs of men who are terrorising and driving fear among the citizenry must come to end, early. The security forces must capture these gangs, those who are behind them and persons who provide support for the criminal enterprise.

Once again, the Rose Hall robbery seems to be part of the centrally-directed plot to increase fear in our society as we move closer to the Elections. The PPP/C also finds amusing the recent posturing by the main Opposition Party on the fight against crime. It would be recalled that it was under the PNC-regime that `kick-down-the-door’ banditry started. Also, Guyanese would remember that at the start of the 2001 crime spree it was the PNCR which led the public protest against the special anti-crime squad, familiarly called the `Black Clothes’ that led to its disbandment.

The PPP/C calls on all Guyanese to be alert and fully mobilised to provide support for our security forces. Communities must ensure that their policing groups are functioning. All groups including political parties, human rights organisations, and civil society must extend unreserved support for the police and their measures to deal forcefully with the current situation.

The PPP/C once again urges all Guyanese not to succumb to fear and intimidation by these armed killer gangs.

August 12, 2006

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