Parkop slams action of residents

By REBECCA KUKU
NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, pictured, has condemned the action of city residents who stripped, beat and poured paint on four children allegedly caught doing graffiti.
Parkop said though graffiti was an issue that needed to be addressed, abusing children was unacceptable.
He commented after pictures of the children were posted on Facebook and shared by about 300 users yesterday. Some users claimed police were involved while others said it was done by property owners who were fed up with graffiti on their properties.
“I have seen this horrific images today and I am very disappointed with the treatment these children have been subjected to,” he said.
“It’s totally unacceptable. Graffiti is bad but this is totally unacceptable and illegal.
“I have since this morning (yesterday) been trying to verify who committed these abuses against the children and no one has been able to tell me who is responsible. Our management, including our reserve police and enforcement unit have not replied to my query as yet.”
He said he understood the frustrations of property owners but abusing the children was wrong.
“Most offenders are kids between 11 and 14 years and we have recently been letting them off with caution so I am not aware of any operations to clamp down yet.
“Police and the city manager must take initiative as the trend of graffiti is getting worse.”
NCD Metropolitan Supt Perou N’dranou said no police report had been made by either the children’s family or property owners, but called on the public to come forward with any information on the incident.
“I urge, the families of the children to come forward and report the incident,” he said.