Georgetown, GINA, January 25, 2004

There has been a lull in crime in Annandale and other East Coast communities, but this is no reason for residents to become complacent.
President Bharrat Jagdeo today charged the residents of Annandale and other neighbouring residents gathered for a community meeting at Annandale Secondary School to be continuously vigilant and guard against criminal elements.
Since February 2003, Guyana was plagued with a high crime rate and the communities along the East Coast were severely affected. Many of the criminals were said to be operating out of Buxton, which is Annandale’s eastern neighbour. The residents were robbed, terrorized and even killed. And even law enforcement officers were executed.
According to the President, this was a traumatic time for Annandale and even though the crime spree has been significantly reduced, the Administration remains alert to tackle crime.
“We have to be very careful that we do not return to a situation like what we had a year ago. We have to be very very careful. We cannot be complacent,” he said.
The Head of State commended the community for its efforts at Community Policing. Annandale has a vibrant Community Policing Group. He urged the group not to only work when there is an increase in the crime rate, but rather at all times to protect their communities.
He pointed out that the group needs to be strengthened and Government will work with these groups.
“I promise you that the Police will work with those groups. We will train people to ensure that they have better weaponry, but they would have to use it in accordance with the laid down procedures so that they can tackle some of these problems. They have to help the Police, support them. Not necessarily by confronting bandits but by acting as the ears and eyes of the security forces on the ground,” the President said.
Commenting on the current situation in Guyana, the President noted that complacency would encourage criminals because they are already being encouraged by the perception portrayed by some sections of the Media and the political Opposition that Government is under siege.
“I want to promise you that we are not going to fall asleep. I cannot promise you that there is going to be no crime because I do not know. I cannot put myself in the minds of criminals I do not know who is plotting what next and only God can stop crime. But we are not going to fall asleep,” he reiterated.
President Jagdeo also hailed the efforts of the law enforcement agencies to tackle crime and noted that Government tries its best to intensify support measures.
The President noted that crime in Guyana is strongly politically motivated, as in the past Opposition politicians were seen in Buxton urging people to “keep this up until the Government falls.”
He noted that Government has decided not to highlight this linkage, but it has not been forgotten. He also pointed out that the Media has aided criminals by broadcasting their message in the name of “freedom fighting.’
The genesis of the efforts, President Jagdeo noted, dates back to the post-1997 elections and is motivated by the quest for political power.