Despite official statistics showing a decline in violent crime across Guyana, many citizens continue to feel unsafe, a disconnect that Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum says is rooted in perception rather than reality.
In the third episode of the national security series, ‘Safeguarding Our Nation,’ Crime Chief Blanhum detailed current crime trends and the Guyana Police Force’s multi-pronged approach to combating crime while working to rebuild public trust.
“Even one violent crime is one too many,” Blanhum acknowledged, addressing the reality behind the numbers. However, he explained that the perception of insecurity is shaped by three main factors: the emotional impact of individual crime victims’ stories, the lingering memory of high-profile incidents, and a lack of public awareness of ongoing police efforts behind the scenes.
“In a small country like Guyana, every incident feels closer to home,” said Blanhum. “That’s why we are focused not only on crime prevention but also on increasing police visibility and community engagement to ensure citizens feel safe.”
The Crime Chief outlined the “three C’s” guiding the force’s strategy: Crime prevention, through data-driven targeting of hotspots; Community presence, with increased patrols in vulnerable areas; and Collaboration, partnering with local groups and international agencies to tackle organised and everyday crime.
Blanhum also highlighted youth engagement initiatives as a key priority. Recent community soccer tournaments, led by senior police officials, including the Commissioner, have been positively received and serve as a platform to connect with vulnerable youth.
“Together, we can close the gap between perception and reality,” said Blanham, urging citizens to verify information through official sources and engage actively with law enforcement efforts.
