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The recent murder of transgender sex worker Shawn Simon Hooper, known as “Coil Bottle,” is believed to be a targeted crime, though some are hesitant to label it as a hate crime until the ongoing probe is completed.

Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Joel Simpson on Tuesday opined that Coil Bottle’s murder was “clearly targeted.”

“… it was a targeted murder.

“We don’t know the motive behind it and we are allowing the Police to do their work,” Simpson told reporters at the sidelines of an event.

Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD

Investigators arrested three suspects- including the alleged shooter– for questioning in relation to the crime.

Simpson emphasised that the Police investigation is being supported and other transgender sex workers, including at least one witness, has been encouraged to cooperate with investigators.

And he called for a “swift, thorough and bias-free” probe so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.

The post Transgender sex worker’s murder was ‘clearly targeted’ – SASOD’s Joel Simpson appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Despite an overall decrease in serious crime nationwide, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn has called on the Police to address the escalating crime situation in and around the Stabroek market area.

“If you don’t look like me, you could be robbed, assaulted, and even killed in the environment around Stabroek Market,” Benn stated on Tuesday.

Then, he pointed to the open use of marijuana: “If I walk through the front gate, I could get an instant high.”

He was then direct in his message to the Police working the area: “You must take hold of the situation.”

Stabroek Market, the largest market in Georgetown, is considered a crime hotspot in the city. The usually congested area is prone to robberies, with pockets being picked and bags snatched. In some instances, individuals have been stabbed and shot.

Speaking at the Guyana Police Force’s 185th-anniversary symposium, Benn acknowledged improvements in law enforcement, with new assets being acquired and infrastructure enhanced. However, he highlighted a significant challenge: the quality of policing.

“We have abandoned foot patrols, we have abandoned the dog walking through the Stabroek Market area,” Benn remarked.

“The core issue is at the level of the quality of policing, not the quantity in terms of how many police are out there.”

Benn also pointed out other challenges faced by the Police, including the fight against transnational crime, cybercrime, and money laundering.

“We must take hold of issues relating to crime and violence and the factors that allow for crime and violence. It cannot continue,” Benn asserted.

The post Benn urges Police to address crime in Stabroek market area appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Traffic congestion on the roadways, particularly during the rush hours, is a daily hassle for many, if not all, so to avoid this, citizens have been moving to install sirens and flashing lights on their vehicles.

But this is illegal and if found utilising same, persons can be charged since permission are not granted for their use.

“We (Guyana Police Force) have no authority over anyone to give them approval or permission to use sirens and flashing lights. The authority to do so is not even invested in anybody else.”

“The law is very clear. It’s either fire, the police or the ambulance,” Traffic Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh told the News Room during an interview on Monday.

Guyana’s laws only allow for the Police Force, Fire Service and ambulances to use the sirens and flashing lights.

The blue and red lights and sirens are to be used on Police vehicles and other law enforcement personnel but persons have been buying the equipment and using it to speed through traffic.

Traffic Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh

In November 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali mandated Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken to enforce a clampdown against the unauthorised use of blue and red lights and sirens.

This instruction extended to government agencies, several public officials and also security companies that have abused the use of the lights and sirens.

While in February last year, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn revealed that the relevant laws will be tweaked to allow for diplomats and senior government functionaries to be exempted from the law preventing the use of flashing lights and sirens.

But despite these efforts, installation of these equipment on private vehicles continues.

So, Singh told News Room that the Guyana Police Force will have to move to collaborate closer with importers of these equipment.

He added that it also raises questions about how the equipment and passing the ports of entry without intervention from the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Bureau of Standards.

“There is no way those things can come into the country without Customs not recognising it or coming into contact with it. It is impossible,” Singh told the News Room.

Noting that another warning will not be sufficient to address the ongoing issue, Singh said that more action has to be taken by the Police.

“I don’t think a warning anymore is necessary. It is the action of the police to stop, detain and proceed with court proceeding.

“These things has to do with behaviors and attitude of members of the public…Your vehicle is your private vehicle as a citizen of the country. You cannot install the equipment or have it installed when you vehicle is not an emergency vehicle,” Singh said.

The post ‘The law is very clear’- Traffic Chief reiterates no private vehicles should be outfitted with sirens, flashing lights appeared first on News Room Guyana.