New cop shop to reduce crime in Palmalmal area

Islands, Normal

THE opening of a new police station at Palmalmal in Pomio, East New Britain province, will hopefully decrease crime in the area.
On Saturday, National Planning, Monitoring and Rural Development Minister Paul Tiensten opened the police station containing two cell blocks and three offices.
Funds to build the station were sourced by Mr Tiensten from the department.
For the past years, there had not been any police presence in the area resulting in the increase in law and order problems.
At times, police personnel from Kokopo had to be deployed there to monitor the situation and make arrests
A National Court circuit held at Palmalmal early this year had dealt with cases such as rape, murder and armed robbery.
East New Britain police commander Supt Anton Billie thanked Mr Tiensten for recognising the need to set up police presence at Palmalmal due to the increased lawlessness.
Supt Billie said many people took advantage of the fact that there was no police presence to cause trouble in the communities.
A senior officer has already been stationed at Palmalmal and two other officers including a criminal investigative officer will also be stationed there in the near future.
Supt Billie called on Mr  Tiensten to help provide more housing for his officers so more police officers could be transferred to Palmalmal.