FB page helping police

THE Lae police Facebook page has proven valuable for the public with many now using it as a means of reporting complaints and queries, Lae metropolitan commander Chief Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr says.
As of last weekend, the number of followers of the page had risen to 16,000.
The page was set up in 2017 as a means to gauge views from the public on how best police could carry out policing in the community.
“Since then, over 200 complaints and queries were attended to by the page admin through direct inbox,” Wagambie said.
He said through the use of this technology for police awareness and other law and order issues, it allowed for effective community participation.
“That is how members of the community have effectively assisted police to address the needs of citizens,” he said.
“It is through this Facebook page feedbacks that the close circuit television (CCTV) was set up at the main market, which had been affected by harassments, pick-pocketing, stealing and other petty crimes, but now that has gone.”
Wagambie said working in partnership with the public in combating crimes in the community was the way to go because people wanted to move around freely and feel safe.
“They are willing to assist police by giving ideas on crime hotspots or criminal behaviours,” he said.
“This is all about allowing the community to take ownership of law and order issues that are happening in our communities.”