City Watch aims to change Morata

By PETER ESILA
OVER the years, settlements have been regarded as breeding places for criminal elements and ethnic clashes.
This is where most of the trouble is said to be, the outlaw section of towns in Papua New Guinea.
While other towns in PNG do have their own fair share of problems, in Port Moresby, names like Morata Settlement seem to get the bad name. However in recent times, that is beginning to change.
City Watch Inc was formed last year to help the Royal Papua New Constabulary police Morata with all its troubles but within the parametres of the law.
Chairman Alex Jafa says issues in Morata that he often sees include domestic and gender-based violence, noise pollution, bag snatching, prostitution, gambling, drunkenness and other social ills.
“These issues and activities have slowly crept into suburbs and prime areas in the city,” Jafa says.
“The issues are common and cannot be denied. But we Papua New Guineans cannot continue to live like this and expect lawful authorities to come down to address every day issues.
“It is obvious that police lack adequate resources to look into some of these matters fairly.
“On the other hand, these issues presented at the police are not heard or administered accordingly which is injustice to the victims who seek appropriate remedies.
“For example culprits and suspects for indictable offences brought to the police station often are released through ‘snake bail’ and that may lead to frustrations, injustice to the poor victims.
“Summary offences like nuisance, illegal liquor trading, assault, offensive language and so forth are being left unattended at times. Consequently, under-privilege people may not understand their rights to justify their stand.”
He says the police have their own problems of capability and capacity.
“However, the inception of City Watch Inc Community Policing Unit (CPU) is the way forward to navigate through this challenges.
But City Watch, like any other organisation faces challenges of its own.
“Thus City Watch Inc, an NGO carrying out community policing in partnership with law enforcement agency in creating safe and secure environment, appeals to individuals, politicians, State agencies and NGOs for assistance.
“Our number is 75525027/71672715, email: [email protected]
“We want to bring change and stability in the community.
“Whosoever suspect or culprit is brought before City Watch team shall be dealt with accordingly in partnership with the police
“Police officers engaging in corrupt practices will be strictly monitored to ensure that whilst administering particular cases they so with impartiality and diligence, in addition, in accordance with seriousness and gravity of the matter before them and arrive at the desired, intended and appropriate result.
“Any officers found to be compromising will be referred to the police internal investigation unit,” Jafa says.
“The idea is to bring confidence and assurance to the community who work with us.”
Jafa says noise pollution is very common in settlements including Morata that mostly stems from illegal liquor markets, intoxication in public and on road sides, homebrew consumption, drug consumption, time wasters with music boom boxes, cars parked on road sides with loud music or whilst on the road.
“People litter everywhere, there are all forms of violence, people depriving the rights of others.”
Jafa says Morata, once notorious for criminal activities, has been slowly changing and that is what City Watch Inc wants to provide – stability and peace in Morata.
City Watch was founded in 2018 to carry out community policing in partnership with law enforcement agencies and the municipal government in creating a safe and secure environment for all.
“It is a policy whereby Morata One Street youths and men collaborate to take active part in.
“One rationale for public involvement is the belief that police alone can neither create nor maintain safe communities.
“That is where the community policing unit under City Watch comes in to play the integral part in the community policing activities. The local government, civilians, councilors, community members, CPU and the police to work together to tackle crime.
“Despite the establishment of community policing and numerous efforts by NCD police administrations to curtail the level of crime in City and Morata One, crime and social disorder still persist in the city.
“With growing urbanisation and national development, there are signs of complexity and multiplicity of criminal offenses and acts. For this reasons, the NCD law enforcement has fostered partnership with communities in community policing tackle these challenges. Hence, CPU under City Watch now is the vehicle and channel to link community and police in Morata and NCD.”
Jafa says City Watch Inc has divisions like CPU, conflict resolution, graffiti unit, anti-land invasion unit, and animal care and impoundment. However only community policing and conflict resolution units are functioning.
“City Watch has engaged the CPU Team to spearhead the festive season engagement operations last year 2018 which had a success outcome.
“We have more than 70 officers recruited under the CPU.”
Jafa says under the conflict resolution division the village court (to be renamed urban community court) and mediation, have a very important position in the community. With limited powers, functions, resources and no structure, it is playing a pivotal role in maintaining peace and good order in the community.
“The conflict resolution process came in to play in Morata One sometime around late October, 2018 after over 30 officers from City Watch were selected to undergo a three-day intensive training at Boroko Police Station facilitated by NCD metropolitan superintendent and his team.”
NCD Met Supt Perou Ndranou and city manager Bernard Kipit issued certificates to the participants at Morata One on November 3, 2018.
The training was focused on community peace officer and conflict resolution concepts outlining key elements.
According to plans including PNG Vision 2050 Port Moresby is to become a mega city in the Pacific and regional hub. About 40 hectares of existing and reclaimed land will be used to build for more hotels, 370,000 square meters of commercial development, a village quarter with over 2,000 apartments, a retail and entertainment hub, a maritime quarter with a potential liner berth, and a new private marina.
Housing developments administered by the National Housing Corporation and the Department of National Planning and Monitoring will take place at Duran Farm and Gerehu Stage 3B and Waigani Swamp. Some of these plans are gradually taking place while the rest may eventuate later.
Jafa says said the inception of City Watch Inc in partnership with NCD Police Enforcement, NCDC is a way forward to achieve such visions, plans and provide surveillance, safe, and apply appropriate mechanisms to deter any activities that continue to portray Morata or Port Moresby as a bad place.
Jafa, 41, of Eastern Highlands wants to see change in Morata. He holds a diploma in business and started his first year law at the University of PNG in 2015. He believes in being a land activist, as well as human rights campaigner in NCD.