While there was not a big turnout at Mahaica, at Strathspey, also on the East Coast Demerara, an estimated 70-odd persons turned up at the primary school to voice their opinions and make recommendations which they felt would help to curb the rising crime rate, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Strathspey is one of the communities which has been affected by criminal activities because it is adjacent to Non Pariel, Enterprise and Annandale which have all been subjected to criminal attacks.

High on the list of recommendations made at Mahaica was that pre-emptive measures should be taken to deter bandits from accessing Mahaica through the backlands of Cane Grove and Buxton during the approaching dry season, GINA said.

To this end residents urged that there should be more frequent `backdam' patrols by the security forces.

Residents, who were represented by a small group, mostly comprising Community Policing members, contended that a common difficulty facing them is communicating with the Police.

According to them, the Police are often inaccessible by telephone because the lines are always busy or not working.

They said that with the existing situation they are afraid to come out and support the Police, especially since they are not armed.

Representatives appealed for training in weaponry and for guidelines to effectively utilise Community Policing Groups.

They felt that a better relationship with the Police was desirable.

The Mahaica community also called for an improved and professional system to deal with "undercover" investigations.

With the existing structure of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Police Officers are often required to perform duties of clerical workers which result in shortages of officers in the fields, they pointed out.

It was recommended that the Government employ civilians to perform clerical duties and place more Police Officers at outposts to carry out security operations.

Increased budgetary allocations for vehicles were also recommended for the Force.

Commander of the Police "C" Division, Mr. Ivelaw Whittaker who made a presentation along with Lieutenant Colonel George Lewis of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), said the Police generally receive quite a few vehicles but they are damaged too quickly.

Meanwhile, at Strathspey, which attracted the largest support since the meetings began Monday, residents urged more cooperation among communities, the Police, the GDF and religious and social institutions, to help develop young people, especially in the Buxton community.

Other recommendations included speedier course response mechanisms by the Police and a curb on racial and inflammatory comments being made by television `Talk Show' hosts in trying to degrade the Police, GINA said.