‘Guyana’s crime rate reducing, more collaboration needed’ – US Ambassador
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 11, 2018
United States Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Perry Holloway said collaboration between the private sector, civil society and the government is needed to ensure the continued reduction of the crime rate in Guyana.
The ambassador was at the time making remarks at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) annual business luncheon at the Pegasus Hotel, yesterday. Ambassador Holloway noted that the crime rate in Guyana has vastly reduced within the past three years.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, H.E Perry Holloway
“I would say since I have been in Guyana, I have seen the macro statistics on crime take a turn for the better.”
In January, the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) 2017 performance report recorded an 11 percent decrease in serious crimes in 2017 when compared to 2016.
Ambassador Holloway said while the government has invested large sums beefing up security, all institutions have to play a role, in order to keep crime at an all-time low. “Everyone has to decide this is something we want to deal with and put our monies and energies towards it…”
He noted that while it is acceptable for other countries to offer assistance, it takes the collective efforts of all to truly offset the crimes.
“It requires political will, but not just at the politician level; everyone has to decide this is something we want to deal with and put our monies and energies towards it, and we are going to build our institutions.”
In 2016, the Ministry of Public Security commenced its five-year Citizens Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) to reduce the crime rate in Guyana. At-risk youths aged sixteen to twenty-five are selected for skills training as a crime reduction strategy. The project aims to improve behaviour of these youths in the targeted communities; increase Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) efficiency in crime prevention and crime investigation nationally; improve the Guyana Prison Service’s (GPS) effectiveness in reducing offender recidivism.
By: Crystal Stoll
Image: Keno George