Hopetown youths ‘ambush’ Top Cop for community development
The establishment of a Community Policing Group, Scouts Group, identifying lands for cattle raring and agricultural purposes, eradication of substance abuse, rehabilitation of the Community Ground, Internet connectivity, Police drug eradication pep talks in schools, the hosting of police gymkhana in the community and talent spotting are among the requests and needs identified by residents of Hopetown, mostly the youths when they met with Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken on Saturday.
Rotten boards at the Community Center ground pavilion
The Commissioner visited the community upon the invitation of residents there who said they needed help in developing their community in a way that would see its benefits going mostly to the young people of the community.
Addressing the gathering
It was one of those community engagements where community development was all residents wanted to speak about.
After raising the aforementioned issues, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken sought to address most of the issues on spot, and where the requests were out of his span of control given his and the Guyana Police Force’s limitations, assistance was sought from partners of the force.
Works will start this coming Monday to grade the Community Center Ground.
A section of the Hope Town Community Center Ground
That will allow for the training of athletes who live in Hopetown and facilitate the hosting of school sports and other community-related activities including the village’s Cultural activities and Gymkhana. The Community related that when it comes to the ground, the biggest issue they have is its maintenance. To that, Commissioner Hicken promised to facilitate the procurement of a piece of equipment that would be used to slash the ground.
One resident speaking of drug use in the community
Residents asked for rehabilitation work to be carried out on the Community Center Ground Building which can be used as a place for afternoon classes, homework, revision, and ITC training for the school children and other young people in the community.
This coming week, technicians from the force and a telecommunications provider will visit the location to inspect the Community Center Ground Building with a view to having the internet installed there. The lavatory facility at the ground will also be fixed.
In the background is the building where residents plan to have classes for the young people
Commissioner Hicken during his opening remarks to the young villagers
The community asked the Commissioner of Police to reintroduce the Drugs Eradication Exercise where police officers will visit the schools and conduct Pepe talks with students on the importance of staying away from drugs and the effects and consequences of using same.
A call was also made by the residents for lands to be made available so that cattle rearing can take place even as they asked the police to pay more emphasis on addressing the issue of cattle rustling. To that request, The Top Cop reached out to the Minister of Agriculture who committed to meeting with the community with a view to having the proposal rolled out.
A basketball tarmac which will be recapped
A basketball tarmac that needs resurfacing was also an issue for the community as it is covered with water when it rains. Hicken committed to offering the stone and cement to have the works done but asked that the residents pulled the available skills from the community together and resurface the tarmac in a community effort. That approach was welcomed by the residents.
An educator in the community raises some education concerns
On the issue of having gymkhana in the community to promote a better police relationship, the Top Cop quickly explained to those gathered that the request is one that is happy about and announced that Gymkhana will be held at the Hopetown Community Center Ground in October.
Regional Division 5 Police Commander Simon and his Deputy Commander Withwright were also on the ground Saturday morning. They will be working closely with the community to follow up and implement the postures needed to facilitate the rollout of the initiatives as requested by the persons present at the meeting.
An initial assessment of the ground in progress
Meanwhile, this community Saturday, Commissioner Hikcen will be sending a bus to the community to bring some of the young people to Georgetown where they will make visits to several parts of Georgetown including the seawalls, Zoligal Park, Guyana National Stadium, and have lunch in the Botanical Gardens.
