Men preying on school girls in Parfaite Harmonie
Residents of La Parfaite Harmonie on the West Bank of Demerara have raised concerns relating to older men preying on school girls within the community. The concern was among a number of others raised during a meeting with officials in the security sector recently.
‘D’ Division Commander, Leslie James told residents that the issue is on the front burner for the police and he has instructed ranks a while back to embark on an intel-led operation.
James stated that “I recalled three such persons were brought before me by my staff and I warned them because when they were intercepted, they were not engaged in the act… we recorded it and they were warned sternly. Their excuses were that they were just relaxing which of course was just an excuse.”
The team comprising of Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall, Commander James and other government officials, also addressed concerns about speeding of vehicles, loud music playing in vehicles and the irresponsible dumping of garbage.
Minister Ramjattan urged those in attendance to form a Community Policing Group to help solve some of the security concerns.
As it relates to the sore issue of the wanton disposal of garbage in the community, the residents disclosed that some were refusing to pay the $400 per week to Puran Brothers disposal Inc. for disposal services and instead had resorted to disposing their garbage around the community.
Minister Ramjattan told the residents to report such acts as soon as they witness it. “We have to ensure that these people know that there is a disincentive for dumping garbage because they will be prosecuted sixty of fifty thousand dollars fine and probably also community service,” the Minister said.
To address the unhealthy situation that would have arose in the community due to the dumping, the minister told the residents that he would seek to have a Community Organised for the Restoration of the Environment (CORE) group established in Parfaite Harmonie. CORE is aimed at empowering and bettering communities through the formation of community groups aimed at the beautification of the environment.
The Divisional Commander related that in relation to speeding, the playing of loud music and tinted vehicles, a campaign has been launched to deal with such matters. Since then ten persons have were taken into custody and will appear before the court.
The commander told residents that he has an open-door policy and encouraged them to visit his office whenever they have issues that need to be addressed.
The meeting was hosted at the community’s Primary School.
(Modified from Department of Public Information)