Police start festive operations in province, says Tabali

POLICE in East New Britain have started their Christmas and New Year special operations.
Provincial police commander Senior Insp Joseph Tabali said his men had already begun phase one, the pre-operation schedule which started on Nov 25 and it would go into full swing this month and end on Jan 5, 2020.
Tabali said no police personnel would be taking special or recreational leave during the festive period as they needed their full operational numbers to maintain peace and order in the province over the next four weeks.
Tabali said police reservists and special constables in ENB’s four districts – Rabaul, Kokopo, Gazelle and Pomio – would also be active during these periods working alongside regular police to carry out their duties.
“This province was once known for its peaceful celebrations because of its culture, values and traditions but it is no longer the same as it was in the past,” Tabali said.
“The crime rate in the province has increased due to various factors related to drug and alcohol consumption.”
He said police would be on alert to protect and prevent break and enters, stealing, willful murders, armed robberies and rapes.
He said police would also set up roadblocks to check vehicles and monitor the movement of people.
Tabali said they would look to minimise the impact of trouble makers in the community by coming down hard on them.
“My warning to the drug dealers and alcohol abusers that police will come down very hard on you if you are caught.”
Tabali appealed to people in the province to act responsibly and celebrate Christmas peacefully with their families.