Guyana's President Outlines Strategy to Fight Crime

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has promised to focus on the fight against crime although according to the latest statistics there has been a decease when compared to figures released in 2020. 

Guyana's President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. (Photo credit: GDPI)In giving a live statement on Facebook late Friday, Ali said the issue of crime is on of major concern for Guyanese nationals. “One crime is too much. Whether it’s petty, whether it’s major, one crime is too much.”

He said that the government’s targeted strategy will include interventions in regions (hotspots) with high crime rates. 

The President said that while crime decreased 19.4 per cent nationally, Region One recorded a 132.4 per cent increase in crime.

He noted that there is an increased migrant population in the region, which is leading to social and economic issues for which the resultant factor is crime.

“So, we are now targeting some specific policies and programs to deal with Region One because if we are to reduce crime by 50 per cent in Region 10, then the national crime rate will be further reduced by more than 25 per cent.”

On the other hand, he noted that Region Five recorded a decrease of 52.1 per cent and Region 4 A recorded a decrease of 43.4 per cent from the previous period, an area with which the Force had tremendous difficulties in the past.

The President said government is also considering implementing incentives for members of the force.

“Where there is good performance, there must be differentiated treatment. You must be recognized for good performance… incentive-based crime fighting.”

“We’re going to have the entire country connected onto CCTV cameras, so that all of the country will be on the watch by the relevant authorities so that we can be proactive in crime-fighting.”

The government, the President said, will also be investing significantly in intelligence gathering.

“More crimes were caught even before they were committed, or were cracked before they were committed because of the proactive work and the intelligence gathering.”

The President committed the government’s efforts to paying more attention to sexual crimes.

“If you look at rape, we had a 55 per cent increase, and this is an issue we have to get tough on. This is one of the areas that we have to see tremendous improvement.”

He said the government saw marked decreases of 32.4 per cent and 44.7 per cent decreases in robberies, under arms and with aggravation, respectively, but an increase in rape.

Concerning gun ownership, Ali said his administration will also look to impose stiffer penalties for illegal gun ownership.

“I’ve asked the AG to look at the laws and to apply the highest penalty – to propose an amendment to apply the highest penalty to persons found with illegal weapons because that is a major contributory factor…”

Persons illegally in possessions of firearms, will be given a period of time to give them up.

The President also invited persons associated with criminal activity to approach the government, as it will launch a program to help rehabilitate persons who want to change their lives, including assisting them to find jobs.

In-keeping with the government’s transparency agenda, President Ali provided a statistical breakdown of the crime situation. He said there is nothing to hide; that he promised a transparent government.

“You do not have a President who will hide from any issue. I am going to be upfront in dealing with every issue that challenges the people of this country.”

He added that he is committed to working every single day to making his people’s lives better.