Situation still dangerous in Buxton – police
By Kim Lucas
Stabroek News
November 27, 2002
Despite the deaths of several high profile fugitives, there is evidence that fringe criminal elements still operate in the village of Buxton - a situation the police say is cause for much concern.
Recently, there have been a number of shooting deaths in the troubled East Coast Demerara village, the latest occurring on Saturday night just before the start of a peace concert in the community. The man who died in the latest incident was clad in an American style camouflage outfit and a bulletproof vest.
With the situation in Buxton and the adjoining village of Friendship still tense, a senior police officer told Stabroek News on Monday: “We are not comfortable with the fact that we have not been able to bring a halt to the violence that has plagued the area in the last couple of months.”
Police spokesman, Assistant Superintendent David Ramnarine, however, stressed that the force understands that there are a number of peace-loving citizens in Buxton, some of who might want to co-operate in the fight against crime, but are afraid of reprisals.
“There is evidence of fringe elements who were associated with some of the deceased [prison escapees]...On the part of the police, we are concerned about the situation and [are] viewing it very seriously,” Ramnarine stated.
He is also cautioning people to continue to be on the alert and not be misled by what seems to be a marked downturn in crimes against citizenry. Instead, there has been, what some have termed as gang-related slayings in and outside the city, especially in the Buxton/Friendship area.
Many attributed this interlude in an eight-month wave of terror to the deaths of three of five men who escaped from the Camp Street jail on February 23. One prison officer was killed and another injured as Andrew Douglas, Dale Moore, Mark Fraser, Shawn Brown and Troy Dick escaped. Following the escape there was a dramatic escalation in criminal activity which has diminished somewhat with the deaths of Douglas, Moore and Fraser.
Giving a further perspective on the current crime situation, Ramnarine told Stabroek News: “We have a number of activities in terms of crime under investigation. From all indications, society seems to be benefitting from an absence of violent crime, particularly those committed by the gunmen. This is not to say that anyone should be carried away and feel that all is well.”
Ramnarine said people should still be on the alert and he repeated the Force’s call for anyone having information on suspicious characters, whether on foot or in vehicles, to contact the police immediately.
“We also wish to alert citizens that with the upsurge in commercial activities during the festive season, extra care and caution should be taken to minimise the opportunity for criminals to operate,” Ramnarine said.
The police have, for several months since the breakout of the five men from Camp Street, been experiencing serious setbacks in their fight against crime.
Ten policemen, including two senior officers, were killed and by the end of August the Force had recorded in excess of 100 murders for the year.
Citizens, particularly those in the city and along the East Coast Demerara, lived in fear as attacks by bandits became routine.
Earlier last month, well-placed sources had told this newspaper that steps were being taken to engage international agencies in the fight against crime. At that time, the police were not sure whether the International Police (INTERPOL) would have been contacted.
To date, the Guyana Police Force has not stated what methods are being employed to track imports of arms, ammunition and body armour being used by criminals.
Ramnarine said that that investigation has proved to be one of the most complex and will take a period of time.
On October 28 a large cache of arms and ammunition was found in a house at Lamaha Gardens after the shooting deaths of seven men in separate incidents in the city and at Annandale, East Coast Demerara.
Ramnarine told this newspaper that some of the weapons still had their serial numbers intact and the police were continuing investigations to determine from where they were obtained, and by whom.
As the hunt continues for the two surviving escapees, as well as others for who wanted bulletins were issued, Ramnarine is urging members of the public to use the two additional hotlines that have been established at police headquarters to pass on information. The one-way lines are only to receive calls and are being monitored by senior ranks in the force. The numbers are 223-6128 and 223-6127.
Based on evidence and reports reaching the force, Ramnarine said both fugitives - Dick and Brown - are still in Guyana.
“It is unfortunate that, to date, we have not received the type of information which would assist us in locating and arresting the remaining escapees and their accomplices. Most of the information and evidence, so far, generally indicate that these guys are within the country,” the officer said.
During the recent crime spree, reports suggested that many of the criminals were using the village of Buxton as a safe haven. Until recently, some contended, the village acted as a cover for many fugitives, since relations between the police and residents had become strained. Ramnarine said efforts are being made to repair those relations, including continued joint patrols by the police and members of the Guyana Defence Force.
“No matter what the feelings are of the residents in a particular community towards the police, the Guyana Police Force has got to continue with [its] constitutional duty. However, the assistance of the Guyana Defence Force is most welcome,” Ramnarine said.
Other initiatives undertaken by the force, so far, were meetings among community leaders, residents and senior ranks of the force and the army to see how they should respond towards the community’s needs.
