New police outpost a welcome relief for Agricola residents

Days after the Guyana Police Force commissioned a police outpost in Agricola, residents are in high praise of the initiative, saying it will help beat back gun and other crimes.
Prior to the establishment of the outpost, residents of Agricola and surrounding communities had to report any complaint at the Ruimveldt Police Station. As a result, criminals seized the opportunity to carry out their illegal activities aback of the village while having persons on the lookout for patrolling police officers.
Guyana Times International visited the community and its environs on Monday to seek persons’ views about the permanent presence of police ranks in the neighbourhood.
Angela Grant, a resident who had been living in Agricola for most of her life, pointed out that the move was very timely following the shooting to death of Shaquille Grant. She added that her family is very grateful to the Home Affairs Ministry for realising the urgency in establishing a police outpost in Agricola.
According to Grant, the permanent presence of law enforcement ranks will assure villagers that they are living in safety.

Another resident, Carolyn-Ann Peters, while emphasising the significance of the outpost, said persons who usually visit the community to carry out illegal activities will now have to “think twice”.  “People out of this community are sometimes really terrified to come in because of robbers and pickpockets. Now that we have a police station, our relatives visiting us can feel more comfortable”.
Pastor Ivan John of Bible Way Church, speaking at the commissioning of the outpost, said he feels the outpost comes at a time when it is most needed.
“Agricola is a quiet village; we have been stigmatised for one thing or the other.  I have been here for 65 years; other citizens should give us a fair chance. Our young people should be interviewed for jobs based on merit and not on the reputation of the community,” Pastor John lamented.
He added that men of good standing came out of that community, including mayors and members of parliament. John said that the police have been doing a great job rebuilding bridges with the community since the Shaquille Grant incident.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told residents at the opening that the move symbolises the force’s commitment to building a better relationship with the public.
A Division Commander George Vyphuis said at the commissioning, the outpost will have a full complement of police ranks, including Criminal Investigations Department ranks, traffic ranks and a mobile quick response patrol. Vyphuis said this initiative was long in the making, given the first attempt at having a mobile outpost in the community. Only a few days ago, the mobile unit was removed out of the community as plans for the commissioning of the outpost were finalised.