The Ministry of Public Security in a statement issued earlier today stated that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has given the Project Executing Unit (PEU) of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), Ministry of Public Security, permission to initiate activities under the Community Crime and Violence Prevention Component.
The IDB has also approved 20 groups of communities for interventions under this component. The communities selected are located in Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10. The 20 selected communities are itemised in the table below:
| Communities | Region |
| 1. Vreed- en- Hoop and Westminster | Region 3 |
| 2. Albouystown |
Region 4 |
| 3. Charlestown | |
| 4. Sophia | |
| 5. South Ruimveldt Park and Gardens and North Ruimveldt | |
| 6. Alberttown and South Cummingsburg | |
| 7. Kingston and Lacytown, | |
| 8. La Penitence and West Ruimveldt | |
| 9. Agricola – McDoom | |
| 10. Mocha – Providence | |
| 11. Annandale – Lusignan | |
| 12. Buxton – Friendship and Vigilance | |
| 13. Enmore – Haslington | |
| 14. Rosignol | Region 5 |
| 15. Friendship – Kildonan |
Region 6 |
| 16. Albion – Fyrish | |
| 17. Port Mourant and Rosehall | |
| 18. Adelphi Village and Canefield | |
| 19. Angoy’s Avenue | |
| 20. Wismar | Region 10 |
According to the Public Security Ministry, the identification of communities was based on a two -stage methodology. In the first stage, crime data at the community level for murder (2010, 2011 and 2013), domestic violence, robberies, breaking and entering and larceny (2011-2013) were used to identify 25 communities with the highest crime rates in Guyana.
The short-listed communities were then ranked in terms of suitability for CSSP intervention based on a range of additional criteria including the percent of youths and young adults, the percent of persons who have primary or lower education, the percent of persons who have no formal qualifications, the percent of unemployed persons, the population size within each community, and the ethnic composition of each community
The CSSP aims to contribute to a reduction in crime and violence in Guyana, especially in the targeted communities and among youths, by increasing their human and social capacity. The specific objectives of the project are to: improve behaviours for non- violent conflict resolution in target communities; increase Guyana Police Force’s effectiveness in crime prevention and crime investigation nationally; and improve the Guyana Prison Service’s effectiveness in reducing offender recidivism.
First, the Police will have to be targeted for retraining……..that they should become part of the solution and not part of the problem. Too many policemen are on the “hustle”. Remuneration! !