Apec comment

THIS is in response to the comments raised by Casper in in the letter Apec and who we are published on Thursday (March 22).
There are several questions raised by Casper which I need to clarify for the benefit of all Port Moresby residents and those who travel in and out the city including Casper.
For Casper’s interest and the people who will be affected one way or the other, Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) is responsible for the safety and security of delegates and visitors involved in Apec meeting as well as other senior officials meetings coming up prior to the main event in November.
I am not going to argue but to bring some sense to this issue.
Based on assessments and analysis as a result of wider data gathering, JSTF has developed several strategies to deal with issues arising from different levels and sources that directly or indirectly will jeopardise safety and security of international delegates, visitors as well as PNG citizens including Casper.
JSTF is well aware of the attitudes of ordinary people of PNG, including Casper.
We are what we are, coming from the way we do things, especially doing things without using common senss or think-before-act or without due care.
Social issues and petty crimes actually come out from these factors and the mindset we develop constitute the unwanted behaviours.
Casper totally forgot that Port Moresby is the capital of PNG and accommodates different people with different activities.
It is a city with a culture of its own and the strategies it has to promote the people of PNG to the outside world because PNG is not alone in the global community.
As a city, Port Moresby has an authority to maintain cleanliness and uphold good image throughout; it has political authorities as well as security authorities to manage crime and social issues rising among people while progressing ahead in development.
City authority with other responsible authorities have in place rules and regulations to manage the issues.
They are making awareness every now and then for people to change their attitude, be more sensible and responsible to maintain good image of the city.
Port Moresby represents the people of PNG in the outside world.
PNG ratings on the world map comes from data taken in Port Moresby.
Simple things when applying common sense.
Casper is okay to sell his products for survival but has to do that by using proper places like designated markets and not on the streets.
What happens when he sells on the street? Casper will be too tired talking to people about managing rubbish he is contributing 50 per cent of it.
When he continues to sell on streets, rubbish piles up, like the one shown in the picture that appeared on the same page of his article.
His place becomes filthy, making the environment unpleasant and crime-infested people will use this as right place to prey on their victims.
Casper, at the end of the day, will never attempt to stop all these because he will be too busy to keep himself alive.
When city authorities come in to clear the place, Casper now goes into media to raise questions on his survival.
Maintaining city cleanliness and good image is not about poverty.
It is about the change of attitude, sense of responsibility and doing the right thing so that people like Casper can enjoy the goodness of the city with low crime rate.

Sgt Joe
JSTF Advocator