In the light of an apparent increase in criminal activity on the lower East Coast Demerara, Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, has announced a menu of anti-crime measures including cordon and search and roadblock exercises, increased patrols and enhanced assistance from residents in support of the police.
"Whatever interdiction procedures we may pursue that may involve cordon and search or roadblocks, we ask the general public to bear with us. Even though you may suffer some personal inconvenience it is not deliberately set out to harass you," the Home Affairs Minister said in statement released by the Government Information Agency (GINA).
He announced also that police patrols have been increased and ranks had been brought in from other areas, while the number of vehicles at the disposal of the force has been boosted.
However, although there has been an increase in vehicular patrols, attention has also been directed to the need for foot patrols and to "certain kinds of activities" that would lead to more secure communities, Gajraj noted.
Showing appreciation for public support for the police, the minister said: "I am again expressing gratitude to residents for going the extra mile in assisting the police ...to fight against the criminals and their activities."
Moreover, Gajraj assured residents of Buxton and nearby communities, in particular, that the anti-crime procedures being adopted "are not meant to harass the law-abiding citizens but are geared solely against the criminal elements."
By and large, he observed, "we have found that residents in Buxton have taken a position against the criminals who want to find refuge in that community and I wish to congratulate them and encourage them to ensure their community is free of crime and criminals. We have had much support from the Buxtonians during certain procedures carried out in the village.
"Not every Buxtonian, we are at pains to point out, would be happy with what occurs in Buxton nor are they prepared to give support to those who are inclined to commit or to perpetrate criminal activities. We would wish to join hands with them as we pursue a common objective to rid the communities of the criminals and of course the crime," Gajraj asserted.
According to the minister, there is a fair idea who the perpetrators of the dastardly criminal acts are, based on intelligence put together, and they will be pursued.
"We ask for your cooperation and support and the criminals must understand that there are no rocks to give them shelter whether in Buxton or anywhere else," Gajraj declared.
Referring to the traffic congestion at this time of year, Gajraj commended the Mayor and City Council on its recently announced plan to set up zones for paid parking.
Noting also the traffic buildup at bridges under repairs and the possibility for criminal activities, he said policemen have been deployed to deal with those situations.
He also referred to recent criminal activity in Non Pariel affecting several families who live in a relatively new housing scheme where infrastructure works have not yet been completed.
Gajraj said he recently met residents of the community "and there are certain measures that we have agreed upon and these will be put in place."
In the circumstances, he stated, residents must be given every assistance in securing their lives, the lives of their families and their property.
He said that foot patrols are necessary in the light of the terrain and residents who are familiar with the area's geographic layout have expressed willingness to join forces with the police in order to deal with the situation.