SWAT team to help tackle rising crime in Berbice

A special team under the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Unit is to be deployed to Berbice to help curb the recent spike in crimes within the Ancient county. This is according to Assistant Police Commissioner of Operations, David Ramnarine. Criminal activity in the county has increased significantly over the last several weeks and residents have been complaining of their fear and safety.

Just several months ago, Guyana’s SWAT Unit was deployed to the district to dismantle a gang that was responsible for a slew of criminal activities in the county. It was stated that since the SWAT Unit’s deployment to the county, the Unit has aided the Berbice Police in several high-profile cases that have resulted in arrests of perpetrators and them subsequently being taken to court. The gang was dismantled and the crime rate had since decreased, with the unit returning to Georgetown.

Reports state that the team that will be deployed to Berbice will include ranks from the Force’s Anti-Crime Patrol Unit and ranks from the Major Crimes Unit and they will be stationed at the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam.

The most recent murder victim in the county was Chinese National Sue Di Wong, called “Xiudi Yang”, 49, of the Jinlai Lai Restaurant who was shot once to the head during what appeared to be an attempted robbery. In January, the bodies of 81-year-old Arthur Rajkumar, a West Coast Berbice businessman; and his reputed wife, Dianne Chamanlall, 44, were found mutilated in their Bush Lot home in what is believed to be a robbery/murder committed by person/s from the village.

Also, 49-year-old Anita Baichan was tied up in her West Coast Berbice home, while her captors set the house on fire with her still inside.

It is believed that with the Unit’s integration into the county, it will lead to the capture of lawbreakers and the crime rate in the region will decrease.

Meanwhile, the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) in a statement on Tuesday said that residents on Berbice continue to live in fear with the spiralling crime situation in the county.

“This is the fourth press release by this Chamber in the last six months dealing with crime as the major issue. The Berbice business community is sick and tired of the crime situation in the region. A young man’s life was snuffed out within a stone’s throw of the Rose Hall [Police] Outpost, and a businesswoman was killed Sunday night in the upper Corentyne area. Who is next? Can we develop a country like this? Where is the Public Security Minister? The public is being decimated by bandits and is extremely insecure. Where are you sir?” the CCCC stated.

The CCCC is also questioning whether the President has a plan to curb the situation. “What are you doing Mr President? Is too much to expect to be protected and be allowed to develop our businesses in a peaceful atmosphere and provide jobs in the region? As it is, no one in the present environment would even consider expanding or developing their business, resulting in more unemployment and a contraction in economic activities.”

The body stated that business has significantly declined since the last election, and with the uncertain future of sugar – the mainstay of the Berbice economy – the future is looking very dim.

“We strongly feel that the President’s insistence of pardoning this group serving time in prison is certainly sending the wrong signal; instead we need to let any criminal, regardless of age, know that this will not be tolerated in society and they will have to pay the price… Berbice is demanding security and protection from its Government,” the CCCC demanded.