| PAT DIALFor the last 50 years at least, crime and the personal safety and security of individual citizens and their families have been a very major concern to Guyanese people. There were times during those years when real fear for life and limb overwhelmed the Society.When that fear receded, people seemed to immediately turn their minds away from the problem, becoming complacent until the problem again resurged and they were again overtaken by fear.Crime has had a serious negative effect on the economy of the country. Investors are put off when they know that a country or even district is insecure and this fact has prevented many foreign and local investors from attempting to invest or do business here.Tourism, as an industry requires a secure environment since tourists would never come if they have the slightest feeling that a destination is unsafe. Indeed, at the moment, Canada has an advisory to its citizens regarding Guyana’s security.The safety and security of the country from crime lie in the hands of Guyana Police Force (GPF), the several thousands of security guards belonging to the several security companies, and thirdly the private citizens when they take measures of their own to protect themselves.The GPF is of course by far the most important of these groupings. Government, Opposition and the Force itself are aware that its inadequacies have prevented the Force from being the effective organization it aspires to be and that these inadequacies are correctable.It is urgent that these groupings meet together and work out a plan and strategy for the GPF as with the 50th anniversary celebrations in the offing, the country needs the highest levels of security.The rest of this article will however be devoted to how the ordinary citizens and their families could protect themselves.Two generations ago,Wholesale Jerseys, the ordinary Guyanese family knew that the members had to protect themselves and they could not rely on others to protect them. This mental and emotional attitude of self-protection was in itself a deterrent to criminals. To-day, we put our personal safety and security wholly in the hands of the Police. If we are attacked by criminals, we are psychologically unprepared to defend ourselves.There are occasional examples where the victims resist the criminals with determination and manage to protect themselves. A few days ago, it was reported in the media that in a village on the East Bank Demerara, an armed bandit attacked a family birthday party. He corralled the guests and family and proceeded to rob them.A small child attempted to run away and when her father tried to hold her back, the bandit thought he was trying to escape and shot him on the arms. The man’s brother, with resolution, attacked the bandit and in the ensuing struggle the bandit’s gun fell out of his hand. The victim quickly picked up and shot the bandit dead.Full psychological commitment to defend one’s self is winning 50% of any struggle with bandits. For either the bandits will be deterred from attacking or they will be half-demoralized if they do try to attack. Bandits are normally cowards and are at a disadvantage if the victim resolutely attacks them; they may even flee.A next way of defending one’s self is by having dogs. The large aggressive foreign breeds are effective defense against bandits but it is very expensive to keep such dogs and only the well-to-do could afford to keep them. Ordinary households could all afford to keep mongrels but at least two should be kept since mongrels do not seriously attack except in a pack of more than one. In any case, mongrels are very useful in informing householders of any intruders.Also, having fences around a house does provide a line of defence.In Biblical and other ancient writings there are suggestions of defensive weapons which are well within the Law to have. Such weapons are like the one David used on Goliath or a small hatchet which could be thrown at a good distance which Parshuram used so effectively. Hatchets, incidentally, were usual household equipment when wood fires were used to cook.Often, a bandit or bandits could be seen approaching, but householders have nothing, not even a stone or brick to throw at them to indicate that they have been seen and they would have no walkover. Indeed, a bandit may just desist from realizing that he had been under surveillance. Sometimes, some of these primitive weapons could seriously disable a bandit.A fourth way in which individuals, families and communities could protect themselves is by Community policing and vigilante groups. These groups should be given basic regular police training and should have at least one motor vehicle for every group. At least one firearm should be given to a member of the group.The State may not be able to provide vehicles for every group. Accordingly, suitable vehicles could be hired from local people. . |
