GAPSO urges involvement of miners, forestry in interior crime fight
Kaieteur News, 7 October 2007
Private security companies are calling for the establishment of a joint
security committee, in light of Monday's brutal robbery attack in the
interior that left two MMC guards dead and another two in the hospital.
The incident is a troubling one for security companies, said Roshan
Khan, head of the Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations
(GAPSO). The association represents some 15 security companies in
Guyana .
“We will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss this issue,” he disclosed.
Already, GAPSO is busy preparing a detailed manual that will serve as a
further guideline for security officers during situations of high
stress.
Responding to questions about steps being taken by security companies
in light of the incident on Monday, Khan said GAPSO will be making a
proposal for a comprehensive team to be established which will comprise
miners, loggers, police and army, security outfits and businesses.
Deadly Job
According to Khan, also the head of RK's Security, robberies once again
have become deadly after a brief lull. Alluding to recent robberies
where bandits attacked some top businesses including Esso, DOCOL and
Ansa McAl, and where in some instances internal conspiracy may have
been involved, Khan was of the view that some of the attacks are
politically motivated to create pandemonium.
While not calling names, the security official drew reference to the
crime spree in 2003 when five prison escapees, at the height of their
crimes, were sending messages to television stations and portraying
themselves as freedom fighters.
He noted that as police clamp down in the coastal regions, criminal
elements will of course turn their attention to the interior where it
is less risky and offer bigger paydays from the mining activities.
With the advent of Crime Stoppers, an internationally recognised
organisation that offers rewards for information on crime committed,
Guyana would be in a better position in its fight against crime.
Crime Stoppers will involve law officials rewarding citizens who have
helped in solving crimes by providing information. Another possibility
will be the offer of amnesty to suspects who are willing to turn
state's evidence against their colleagues.
“There is no quick fix to crimes. It is a part of every society. You
see, we can tell our people what to do and equip them fully. But
remember, criminals have the element of surprise on their side.
“What is important is that we have a multi-pronged approach to address
the situation. That is why GAPSO is advocating that we form a joint
committee which will include all the stakeholders.”
Insurance
Currently, the security industry in Guyana employs around 50,000
persons, including guards and watchmen, with GAPSO representing almost
7,000 of these. Speaking on the issue of insurance, Khan disclosed that
his company has a $1million insurance on its guards.
It was disclosed earlier this week that families of the two dead MMC
security guards stand to benefit from $2 million insurance coverage.
Is this enough? According to the official, money can never compensate
for a life and for the loss of an employee, but if a realistic value
has to be attached, that figure should be around $5 million.
Currently RK Security covers on a 24-hour basis both accident injuries,
including hospital bills in its insurance coverage. Although it is not
a rule, GAPSO insists all its members provide insurance for its
employees, said the security official.
“The reality is that it is difficult to raise the figures. Clients do
not care about NIS and taxes and other expenses that we have. When we
attempt to raise our fees, we lose them. Then the other scenario is
that many clients do not pay on time.”
Another big issue facing established security companies is that many of
the smaller ones are robbing Guyana of NIS and taxes. “It is hard to
compete with these companies when they are able to drop their rates.
They are able to pocket their workers' NIS contributions even though
they deduct them from paychecks.
“It is unfair, because our companies have to toe the line and pay our
obligations. So it all ties in back to what can be afforded.”
Kaieteur News, 7 October 2007
Private security companies are calling for the establishment of a joint
security committee, in light of Monday's brutal robbery attack in the
interior that left two MMC guards dead and another two in the hospital.
The incident is a troubling one for security companies, said Roshan
Khan, head of the Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations
(GAPSO). The association represents some 15 security companies in
Guyana .
“We will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss this issue,” he disclosed.
Already, GAPSO is busy preparing a detailed manual that will serve as a
further guideline for security officers during situations of high
stress.
Responding to questions about steps being taken by security companies
in light of the incident on Monday, Khan said GAPSO will be making a
proposal for a comprehensive team to be established which will comprise
miners, loggers, police and army, security outfits and businesses.
Deadly Job
According to Khan, also the head of RK's Security, robberies once again
have become deadly after a brief lull. Alluding to recent robberies
where bandits attacked some top businesses including Esso, DOCOL and
Ansa McAl, and where in some instances internal conspiracy may have
been involved, Khan was of the view that some of the attacks are
politically motivated to create pandemonium.
While not calling names, the security official drew reference to the
crime spree in 2003 when five prison escapees, at the height of their
crimes, were sending messages to television stations and portraying
themselves as freedom fighters.
He noted that as police clamp down in the coastal regions, criminal
elements will of course turn their attention to the interior where it
is less risky and offer bigger paydays from the mining activities.
With the advent of Crime Stoppers, an internationally recognised
organisation that offers rewards for information on crime committed,
Guyana would be in a better position in its fight against crime.
Crime Stoppers will involve law officials rewarding citizens who have
helped in solving crimes by providing information. Another possibility
will be the offer of amnesty to suspects who are willing to turn
state's evidence against their colleagues.
“There is no quick fix to crimes. It is a part of every society. You
see, we can tell our people what to do and equip them fully. But
remember, criminals have the element of surprise on their side.
“What is important is that we have a multi-pronged approach to address
the situation. That is why GAPSO is advocating that we form a joint
committee which will include all the stakeholders.”
Insurance
Currently, the security industry in Guyana employs around 50,000
persons, including guards and watchmen, with GAPSO representing almost
7,000 of these. Speaking on the issue of insurance, Khan disclosed that
his company has a $1million insurance on its guards.
It was disclosed earlier this week that families of the two dead MMC
security guards stand to benefit from $2 million insurance coverage.
Is this enough? According to the official, money can never compensate
for a life and for the loss of an employee, but if a realistic value
has to be attached, that figure should be around $5 million.
Currently RK Security covers on a 24-hour basis both accident injuries,
including hospital bills in its insurance coverage. Although it is not
a rule, GAPSO insists all its members provide insurance for its
employees, said the security official.
“The reality is that it is difficult to raise the figures. Clients do
not care about NIS and taxes and other expenses that we have. When we
attempt to raise our fees, we lose them. Then the other scenario is
that many clients do not pay on time.”
Another big issue facing established security companies is that many of
the smaller ones are robbing Guyana of NIS and taxes. “It is hard to
compete with these companies when they are able to drop their rates.
They are able to pocket their workers' NIS contributions even though
they deduct them from paychecks.
“It is unfair, because our companies have to toe the line and pay our
obligations. So it all ties in back to what can be afforded.”
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