The Home Affairs Ministry recognising the spike in crime has intensified programmes within the security sector to arrest the situation.
These initiatives include the “I Paid a Bribe” and others that facilitate the use of online technology.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee at an end-of-year press conference on Friday acknowledged the importance of the Internet and computer security to the national security and the economic well-being of the country.
“Many of our citizens, businesses and government agencies are now connected to the Internet and are using information technology to provide goods and services, pursue educational opportunities, conduct business and maintain social contacts around the world,” he noted.
Security measures
As a result, the National Computer Incidents Response Team (NCIRT) was established and commenced operations last August. It is tasked with improving the cyber security preparedness and response of the government of Guyana through proactive security measures and information sharing mechanisms.
“Thus far, this unit has been provided with local and overseas training in the development of capabilities in cyber security incident handling,” the minister said, explaining that in 2014, NCIRT will be expanding its activities to provide a wider variety of services for government agencies, the business community and citizens at large.
Rohee went on to say that the online programmes have been created to improve service delivery to the public. The Online Crime Reporting System (OCRS) allows citizens to report crime to the Guyana Police Force by using cellphones, computers and other Internet connected devices.
“Citizens who have witnessed a crime or have information on any crime, can use their cellphones, BlackBerry devices, tablets and computers to send images, sound recordings, videos, text messages, emails and even website URLs to the police,” the minister noted.
He explained that those desirous of remaining anonymous are able to do so.
The home affairs minister disclosed that since the launch of the system in 2012, it has seen moderate success with a total of 149 reports received in 2013. These reports were investigated and prosecutions were conducted where necessary.
Then there is the “I Paid a Bribe” website, which was implemented as an anti-corruption measure. Rohee stated that this initiative is designed to allow citizens to anonymously report on the website, on the nature, pattern, types, location and frequency of corrupt actions.
Cases
The minister explained that since its launch in May 2013, there has been a total of 58 reports made against employees in nine government agencies. These reports were forwarded to the relevant agencies for them to conduct their own individual investigations and take appropriate action.
According to Rohee, the police force is now using the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) to gain access to large amounts of data from various locations, using the crime-mapping system.
“Crime maps can be used to integrate crime data with demographic and neighbourhood information, so that spatial patterns of crime can be unlocked and areas of concerns identified. Crime mapping will assist law enforcement in allocating their resources more efficiently and effectively; in other words, facilitate a move from reactive policing to proactive policing,” he stressed.
