A network of Buxtonians use their cell phones to alert criminals of the army's movements, a poorly attended consultation on crime heard on Monday.
Commander Gary Best of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said the criminals are being given cover in the southern end of Buxton and along the railway embankment and are being tipped off by residents as to the whereabouts of the military ranks. Best said the use of cellular phones among villagers serves to alert the criminals as to how and when they should move.
He said residents will not expose criminals for the fear of reprisals. Reports are that proceeds from robberies are being shared among villagers, serving as an incentive for them to stay quiet. He mentioned also that GDF ranks have been unable to detect offenders who have recently become involved in criminal activities.
Best was at the time addressing a small audience, mainly of police officers, at a public consultation hosted by the National Steering Committee on Crime on Monday at the University of Guyana.
Best explained that the army's entrance into the Buxton community coincided with the launch of Operation Plaster of Paris, which saw the roads dug up by the Buxtonians repaired. Best said at the end of this operation they turned to Operation Tourniquet which sought to form an alliance with law-abiding citizens through sustained patrols, road blocks and other military activities, in order to create an unfavourable environment for criminal activities in the area. He said the GDF predicted that as a result criminals would feel uncomfortable in the area and try to relocate thus rendering themselves vulnerable to detection and apprehension.
He said it was vital for the army to patrol along the backlands, waterways and roads in order to deny the criminals access to and withdrawal from the scene of their crimes. He said the Coast Guard, the Air Corps and Infantry units had engaged in 62 coastal patrols, 12 backland patrols and 22 air patrols. Other joint patrols were conducted by the GDF and the Guyana Police Force. Patrols were also conducted on the East Bank.
Best said, in the case of maritime law enforcement, the Coast Guard has sole responsibility over the sea while acting independently of the police. According to him, all of the evidence with regard to the activities on the sea would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
Best said there has generally been a reduction in criminal activities as a result of the Operation Tourniquet. He mentioned that there were fewer attacks on citizens entering the village and a reduction of criminals roaming with guns openly displayed. Further, Best said that there has been a reduction in drug dealing and the way has been paved for police to enter the village south of Buxton.
Best informed the audience that among its functions the GDF was tasked with the responsibility to maintain the territorial integrity of Guyana; to assist civil powers in the maintenance of law and order; and to contribute to the economic development of the country.
He said that while "the GDF is obliged to come to the aid of the police, this assistance is not automatic but rather is based on a formalised request and a determination by the military commander that the police lack the resources or are otherwise incapable of responding in an effective manner."