– residents urged to be vigilant

As complaints continue to mount by residents of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) of an increase in the number of break and enter and larceny committed on the homes in the Wisroc ‘New Scheme’ area, residents are being urged to be more vigilant and report any suspected activity. Speaking on the issue, E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) Commander Calvin Brutus confirmed some recent cases of break and enter, larceny and burglary.

“… What we’ve noticed is a shift in operations, because it was predominantly in Amelia’s Ward. It has subsided in that area since we haven’t had any (break-ins) in a long time. It has shifted now to the Wismar shore. We’ve noticed some areas where this has been popping up – Wisroc ‘New Scheme’, Block 22, Canvas City area, and to some extent, at the back of Blueberry Hill and at the One Mile/Half Mile areas. Not in alarming numbers, but we see the shift.”

Brutus added, “What we are doing is that we are incorporating the station patrols during the early hours of the evening. We have some persons being charged for these offences, while some are still undetected. As information comes in, we keep updating and carry out our investigations”, he stated.
The Commander further stated that some perpetuators have not been charged due to lack of fingerprints, eyewitnesses and confessions, adding that there may be persons charged with other offences who may have been involved in those unsolved break and enter and larceny cases, but due to lack of evidence, they may not have been charged. However, he assured that thorough investigations are being carried out.

Additionally, Brutus stated that there has been an increase in armed anti-crime unit patrols in the evenings, since it has been observed that most offences are committed in the wee hours of the morning while persons are asleep. “We are interviewing persons as we bring in suspects. We are profiling them. We’ve interviewed some persons. We’ve had some people being charged for these offences already.”

Juveniles implicated
Brutus said presently there is a juvenile on the run for the offence of break and enter and larceny while another was apprehended last month. A third was also recently charged for robbery under arms.

“Then there were two youths, twins, one was found with an unlicenced .32 semi automatic pistol in a school bag as recent as week before last, right there on Wismar. We’ve had one juvenile also being charged for break and enter and larceny and we’ve had five being charged for simple larceny. All are below the age of 16”.

Brutus said in cases where juveniles are found to be loitering on the streets at nights, his Division lacks the capacity to deal with that situation on its own; however, in such cases, the Social Protection Ministry would have to become involved.

Citizens’ involvement
“What I would encourage persons in the community to do is whenever they notice strange activities, they should report it to the Police. During the day I am here at the office (Mackenzie Police Station)… Let us know so that we can respond. All information about crimes in the community, they should share it”.

Brutus made reference to the recent shooting to death of Lindener Shevon Gordon at her home in Block 22, Wismar, whereby he noted that the perpetuators were seen lurking in the area days before. He said that this was not reported until after the crime was committed. The Division Commander assured that should residents report such incidences; the information would be treated with the strictest level of confidentiality.