THE case of the more than 100 deportees being shipped here from the United States after serving jail terms for criminal offences is a classic example of how differently the public and politicians view issues.

There is, quite understandably, much public agitation here that so many criminals are being so hastily offloaded from the world's superpower in a country where even the law enforcement agencies openly admit that they are hard-pressed to cope with the activities of criminals already in Guyana.

On the other hand, Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Ronald Gajraj has assured that measures are in place to deal with the inflow of deportees.

There has been over the years a steady flow of deportees largely from North America. Some have been sent back because of immigration law, assault and other breaches but most of them have been shipped here because they were caught, convicted and jailed for criminal offences.

It is not unlikely that even hardcore criminals can be reformed to take their place in a lawful society but the reality here is often far removed from idealistic expectations.

Senior Police officials have acknowledged that the emergence of the deportee phenomenon has seen the rise of some kinds of violent crimes that had not been experienced here before. Some of them have been associated with some of the most brutal robbery attacks on families in their homes and the Police have up close and personal, sometimes deadly, experiences with deportees.

Because most of them have lived almost all their adult lives in North America and are more products of those societies than they are of Guyana, they are in a very real sense strangers in the land of their birth.

Many have few or no family links and often turn to the criminal trade in which they are well versed to cope here until they can slip back into North America.

In the public's view and as far as the Police are concerned, deportees have become associated with violent crimes and are not looked upon kindly by the majority of the population.

In short, people fear them and government spokesmen should not try to ignore this reality.

"There is little tolerance from my authorities for the continued presence of criminals who have served their terms to remain in the United States", U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ronald Godard said Monday.

The U.S. authorities are clearly determined to ship "criminals" out of their country and while they have promised to help Guyana handle the consequences, Guyana has to have a clearly defined action plan to effectively cope with this growing problem.

What the public wants are not broad and well-intentioned assurances but details of how the authorities intend to deal with the situation.

This is by far the largest number of deportees rounded up and being shipped here at around the same time and this will pose serious headaches for the Police.

The U.S. wants to get them out in a hurry and Guyana cannot afford to wait on promised help from the Americans to ensure they are kept in line.