‘We won’t stop until every Guyanese feels safe’ – Blanhum on tackling crime 

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has increased its deployment of officers across crime-prone areas “to ensure that criminal elements do not take advantage of vulnerable persons,” according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

Speaking during the third edition of ‘Safeguarding Our Nation’; a pre-recorded programme streamed on Tuesdays on the GPF’s Facebook page, Blanhum noted that: “the reality is that majority of the crimes are committed by a small minority of our population and that is why most of our attention is focused on key offenders and hotspots.”

Last week, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken reported that crime is down, when compared to 2015. He said the serious crimes rate is down 88%, robbery with guns is down 88%, burglaries and larceny have reduced by 93% and murders have reduced by 63%; all within the period 2015 to 2025.

However, despite this, many people still feel unsafe.

The Crime Chief said “crime today is dominated by disorderly murders, property related offences, alcohol consumption, drug trafficking particularly at border locations, domestic violence, and cyber crime.”

He added that incidents feel bigger in smaller countries like Guyana especially when they are widely covered in the media.

“Fear is shaped by experience, not numbers. But we’re listening, we’re working, and we won’t stop until every Guyanese feels safe,” he assured.

Through Crime Prevention, Community Presence, and Collaboration, he said strategic policing efforts are being targeted at the right places, with the right tools.

According to Blanhum, the GPF is working with youths through schools, youth groups and community groups to tackle youth crimes.

“Youth crime worries us all and we’re actively engaging. We meet regularly with youth groups, schools and community groups nationwide. We do not just talk but we listen to their concerns,” he stated.

The Crime Chief said the Police Force is also targeting community members who are vulnerable and who are more prone to engage in a life of crime.

He also encouraged persons to desist from spreading misinformation to fuel fear among the population.