Police devise PR plan to fight crime

THE Police Service is devising more plans and strategies to fight serious crimes in 2004 and reduce the escalating rate of crime that took place in 2003. “We have several plans and strategies on our agenda to fight and prevent the escalating crime rate in 2004,” Ag DCP (crime) Celestine Richards told Newsday. “We intend to put these plans into action in primary, secondary and tertiary stages. “The first is the continued presence of increased police and joint army/patrol on the streets for the first quarter. “So far, the results of this initiative have been phenomenal. “The increase use of community policing to deal with the issue of domestic violence, murders, kidnapping and regaining the confidence of the public are part of the plans. “Another plan is to add public relations and courtesy training to recruits at the St James Barracks which will assist when the young officers have to deal with the public and get back the public’s support.”

Up to December 30, 223 murders have been recorded and there have been 102 kidnappings, with 50 for ransom. Last year there were 60 kidnappings with 29 for ransom. “There is no way we can put an officer at every street corner, under every street light or at the many inlets around the country where illegal guns, and drugs are coming in. “So we have to depend on the citizens for information. “And to achieve this means we have to get back their confidence. “We are here to do the public a service and if properly done, crime can be reduced two-fold,” continued the confident DCP. The DCP also indicated that increased mobility, more modernisation, development of facilities and increased manpower will also do a lot to decrease the escalating crime in 2004.