Karia Karia Community Policing Group to be resuscitated
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, November 17, 2019
Community Policing Groups (CPGs) throughout the country receive continuous support from the Ministry of Public Security as prime importance is placed on relations between law enforcement and civilians.
For Karia Karia, a riverine community in Region 3 – 45 minutes away from Parika via boat – their now-defunct CPG is about to get a boost.
During a community meeting on Sunday, residents called for the resuscitation of their CPG to boost security in the community.
Minister of Public Security, Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan offered his unwavering support after hearing this concern.
“I would like to send my administrator to ensure that you can have one,”
The minister also mentioned his ministry has equipment and materials available to enhance the operations of the CPG, as long as it is restarted.
Desiree Brown, one of the members of the defunct CPG, shared her hope that the body will restart since it is a way to deter crime in the village with a population of 280 persons. “This is a good thing [the CPG]. It can help your family and your children. For my grandchildren, they could help them to go the right way,” Brown commented.
For Anita Decamp, residents should join the CPG because it offers not just an opportunity to keep the neighbourhood safe, but it is also a path towards employment.
Another resident, 54-year-old Wendell Gibson, welcomed the news that the CPG will be restarted. He noted perpetrators of crime will “think twice” once there is a CPG in place. Gibson said providing all systems are in place, he will join the group. “That is development for your community because you will see security remaining paramount… It will be better for everybody,” he confidently stated.
In 2018, there were just over 9,000 patrols carried out by CPGs compared to over 5,000 carried out in 2017, a significant increase which has proven to be fruitful.