Police focus on urban centres

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
ACTING Police Comm David Manning says police presence will be increased to prevent violent clashes in urban centres.
“We will talk with city authorities in Port Moresby, Lae, Mt Hagen and Kokopo to establish police posts in suburbs to support the main suburban police stations as a way of increasing our presence,” he said.
Manning made the statement yesterday following ethnic clashes at the 8-Mile settlement in Port Moresby that claimed at least three lives.
“Such deadly clashes is a problem in the society which police alone cannot prevent,” he said.
“It takes everyone to take ownership to address such problems.
“And so for the police side, we will discuss with city authorities to establish police posts in the suburbs.
“For example, like Waigani police station looks after Tokarara, Morata and Waigani.
“So we can establish police posts in those respective suburbs to support the Waigani Police Station.
“These posts will have logistic support like communication, vehicles and manpower.
“After all, we cannot increase the manpower to meet the universal requirement of one policeman to look after 400 people.
“So one way is to increase police presence and that includes the support of all stakeholders.”
Manning also said that leaders had to make tough decisions that would affect their voters like pushing for a Vagrancy Act, stop further illegal settlements and stop liquor outlets in settlements.
“Such tough decisions will lead to drastic reduction in violent clashes in urban centres.”