By Allan A. Fenty
Confronting Crime will present a full feature about the likelihood of unlawful acts at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport later.

Today we discuss scenarios AFTER travellers leave Timehri.

1 There are various “seasons” when thousands of overseas relatives and friends come to Guyana on vacation. Other emergencies or business reasons also bring them.

You see them in the towns and villages. Many are recognizable by their garments and, sometimes, the complexions that the climate elsewhere has given them. The criminals recognize them too!

2 So you advise them about how to dress, how much to wear when and where, how much cash to carry and how to safeguard their documents.

3 They, most probably, come from places where crime is rampant also, but tell your loved ones to safeguard their passports, ID cards and credit cards especially.

4 Don’t keep large sums of cash or the jewellery they bring, in the village home. Envious eyes sometimes watch. Arrange your secret brand of security.

5 Once it was suggested by a few people that Airport personnel might be tipping off bandits about new arrivals in villages, because the vicious house robberies sometimes take place just hours after the overseas visitors arrive. But this has never been proven. Rule out no possibilities however, and always be on guard.

6 After leaving Timehri Just what can you do against heavily-armed, mobile bandits, armed with deadly weapons, who targets vehicles leaving the airport with new arrivals? Only constant, ever-present and equally mobile police patrol’s and stake-outs with weapons and communication sets – can combat this new menace disgracing our society.

7 On the other hand, family-members and friends, aware of the possibilities and opportunities, must take precautions. Opinions have been advanced that some “organized” criminals are made aware of pending arrivals either through Airline, Immigration or Officials or talkative relatives. You know the rest, “as “home folks” themselves are involved, from time to time.

8 Some fearful arriving passengers are even now in the habit of affixing false and misleading addresses on their luggage. In turn, this sometimes leads to difficulties if the airline wishes to make contact afterwards. More of all this, as this s series progress