Barbed wire policy will put lives at risk

 THE National Capital District Commission’s exercise to remove razor barbed wire above fences around properties in Port Moresby is likely to cause fear and anxiety among property owners and residents.

Despite an assurance or rather claim by Governor Powes Parkop that the crime rate in NCD had reduced by 60 per cent, many people fear their homes and properties will become more vulnerable to criminals if the razor barbed wire fencing are removed.

And who can blame them for feeling this way because the capital city is notorious for serious break and enter crimes such as armed robberies, rapes and even killings.

Why should residents risk their lives and properties so that NCDC can improve the physical image of the city?

Parkop told The National this week that using razor barbed wire above fences was unacceptable anymore because it spoiled the city’s image. 

“If we all work on efforts to improve community spirit and reach out to young people to offer them other options other than crime, we can reduce the need for such device,” he said.

When asked about the security and safety of people, Parkop said: “We have tried to achieve security in a different way.

“Investing in scholarships, providing jobs, using sports to maintain positive attitude, provide skills and training for young people to find full-time or part-time jobs have shown a reduction of crime and security improved.”

Most of us support Parkop’s initiative to improve the physical image of the city and the need to provide more opportunities our young people.

However, that is of no interest to the criminal kind. 

In fact, these evil-minded cowards are much relieved that razor barbed wire will no longer be an obstacle to their criminal pursuits.

As one of our readers and property-owners said in his letter-to-the-editor, “The scholarships, part-time jobs, State of Origin shows, Easter and Christmas are of no interest to criminals. 

“These programmes will be of interest to full-time school students and law abiding citizens. Petty crimes still happen around the area where these programmes are held.”

Indeed, the governor must be mindful that Port Moresby’s “tainted image” is a direct result of serious crime and lawlessness.

Security fencing with razor barbed wire is a consequence of the high rate of crime in this city. 

It is therefore illogical for City Hall to now blame property owners for breaching its fencing policy.

To remove high security fencing is to put people’s lives and properties at risk to hard-core criminals who continue to roam the city streets and suburbs at will.

Parkop has tried to justify the NCDC’s actions by claiming there has been a significant reduction in crime in the past four years.

But how reliable are those police statistics on the 60 per cent reduction in the crime rate?

We hope the good governor was not misled on a figure plucked out of the air to justify the removal of razor barbed wire from security fences.

While Parkop has tried to reassure residents that their security will not be compromised, city manager Leslie Alu is seemingly more concerned about Port Moresby’s physical image than the safety of its residents.

“The city needs to create an image that we don’t have ugly features of razor-edge fences that may depict a bad image of the city. We cannot guarantee their safety but we suggest alternative fence decorations can be used.”

Alu should apologise to the affected property owners and residents for his deplorable statement.

He knows very well that city authorities around the world make rules and regulations to sustain and maintain safe, healthy and clean environments for their residents and visitors.

The safety of Port Moresby residents and visitors should never be compromised by the NCDC in its efforts to improve the physical image of the capital city.

We are mindful of the forthcoming Pacific Games and the need to make Port Moresby “user-friendly” but the removal of razor barbed wire on security fences is likely to endanger the lives of many residents and visitors.

It’s not worth the risk at this point in time.