Leaders urged to lead fight against lawlessness

POLICE have urged community leaders in the eight districts of Morobe to take lead in combating law and order problems.
Morobe police commander Supt Alex N’Drasal, pictured, said problems such as homebrew production and consumption, and marijuana use could be handled at the community level.
“Ward development committees, clans, churches, women, youth leaders, councillors, LLG presidents and others must make sure such problems do not happen,” he said.
N’Drasal said small issues could develop into big crimes if not monitored well.
“Homebrew and marijuana contribute to major crimes people commit. If these issues can be controlled at the community level, it can minimise major crimes.”
N’Drasal said children and family members involved in illegal activities must be quickly pulled up.
“Police cannot do everything under the sun. That dependency should be the last resort,” he said.
“It’s the parents and community leaders who should act when an issue starts.”
“Police can only be engaged when every access of dealing with crime is exhausted.”
N’Drasal said some community leaders ran to the police as soon as something cropped up.
“Some of those leaders are also part and parcel of the problem.”
That is why crime and disorder in the communities can best be described as leadership problems,” he said.