E’ Division CPG using social mechanisms to fight crime

– Creating a safe environment for vulnerable groups

– CPG – first responders to fighting crime

– TIP and child abuse high on the agenda

DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 21, 2019

The E’ Division Community Policing Group (CPG), has elected a new executive whose focus will be geared towards eradicating social ills within the communities of Region 10, Upper Demerara-Berbice.

The elections that were recently held, saw Kevon Lorrimer emerging as Chairman and Brian Boyle as Vice Chairman. Holding other top executive posts are Noland Walton Secretary, Yanick Copeland Treasurer and Avery Trim, PRO.

Newly elected Chairman Lorrimer said efforts will be made to positively engage youths, women and other vulnerable groups who are often victims of social ills, such as teenage pregnancy and juvenile delinquency. The executive, he stated “will be dealing with issues such as teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and all these other social issues that are affecting our community and we will be focusing more on development and not just crime,” he related.

Programmes in the areas of youth empowerment through culture will be initiated within the various communities across the Division, which will be done in collaboration with local stakeholders. Lorrimer explained that sensitisation sessions will also be conducted so as to inform residents that the CPG is not merely an organisation to monitor and report crime at the community level, but to also spearhead community development and resident empowerment.

While a more social approach will be taken to tackle crime, the CPG will maintain its role as the eyes and ears of the police and will report any information of crime or criminal elements at the earliest possible time. Lorrimer noted, “the CPG is an organisation that unites the community, and some persons affected by crime may choose to come to a CPG member to share information. So basically, the CPG is the first response to crime in the community.”

The Chairman said the categories of crime that are of major concern to the newly elected CPG are trafficking in persons and child abuse. “There are several reports of child abuse coming out from various areas, and we will be paying more attention to our communities in these specific areas.”  According to the Lorrimer, it is expected that over the next few months, community-related crime will decrease in Region Ten.

CPGs across Guyana have the support of the government, through the Ministry of Public Security as well as stakeholders within the regions such as the Regional Democratic Councils and the Mayor and Town Councils.

During the observation of the CPGs 43^rd anniversary  earlier this year, Administrator of the CPGs, Dennis Pompey stated that the continued expansion of CPG’s across the country “has helped uncover intelligence of prime criminal activities such as the carjacking ring that was dismantled on the East Coast and the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, an illegal airstrip in Region Nine, also in Kwakwani we were able to recover stolen equipment such as outboard engines.”

He also disclosed that Guyana’s borders are now reinforced with the establishment of CPGs in hinterland regions. Additionally, in 2017, there were just over 5000 patrols carried out by CPGs compared to over 9000 carried out in 2018, a significant increase which has proven to be fruitful.

Image and story: Vanessa Braithwaite