Soldiers in Guyana will bolster police patrols in high-crime areas after spike in gun violence

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana's military will assist police in patrolling high-crime areas in response to a spike in gun violence.

Col. Bruce Lovell said Sunday that the joint patrols will start in the coming week.

In recent weeks, gangs of armed bandits have committed a slew of robberies along the east coast corridor of the South American nation. A businessman was fatally shot Friday during a robbery outside a bank.

Guyana's constitution says the military can play only a supporting role in fighting crime. Troops last joined police patrols last year.