Lae crime fighters call for public backup

The acting chairman of the Lae Law and Order Committee, Sam Gani, is calling on authorities to support the work of law and order officers in communities.
He said this on Tuesday as the committee’s 1600-plus officers in the city were preparing to carry out a special Christmas and New Year operation together with police.
Gani said the committee members were the face of the government in the city’s settlements.
He said when big problems like ethnic clashes, torturing of sanguma suspects, rape and murder occurred in the settlements, the peace officers were the first people on the ground attending to these cases and notifying police.
“We have been operating for a long time without recognition and support from the government,” he said.
“It is a risky job.
“Some of our colleagues have died without recognition but we choose to do the work because it is in our blood.
“If we do not do it, who will do it?
“Some good people need to stand up and say no to unlawful activities taking place in the settlements where Papua New Guineans of all walks of life live.
“We have been volunteering for many years but now we want government to recognise and support us.”