The issue of security in Bartica and Region Seven as a whole is once again under the spotlight. This is as a result of the brazen attack on mining camps along the Puruni Landing and the Piari Landing by an armed gang, Sunday evening.While some residents are concerned that Bartica may be vulnerable to criminal activities, not forgetting the February 2008 Bartica massacre, Regional Chairman, Holbert Knights, says that there is adequate police presence in the Region to protect Bartica and neighbouring communities.According to Knights, in Region Seven the police are unable to respond effectively to criminal activities in the interior locations.This he attributed to the police being poorly equipped with the requisite type of transportation for the interior terrain.Knights emphasised that the most suitable type of vehicles for the interior terrain is the All-Terrain Vehicle and helicopter but the police do not possess such vehicles. He noted that the police have a boat but that can only travel to a certain point,NFL Jerseys Cheap Authentic, after which they most times have to utilize private vehicles owned by individuals.In terms of security in the interior, Knight said that there is a police outpost at Itaballi but again the inadequacy of transportation is an issue.Knight explained that providing security for occupants of mining camps is somewhat difficult since they usually have a concentration of miners in one particular location and after the gold would have diminished they move to another area.He said that since the Bartica massacre, the presence of the police has increased significantly. In addition, the police have been conducting random searches of persons entering Bartica from the interior and exiting Bartica to enter the interior.Knight said there may be some loopholes as there are several entrances and exits to the mining area. Many of these do not have heavy police presence.
