Support needed to fight crime

COMMUNITY support is needed to fight crime in Port Moresby, a Morata resident says.
John Aige, 45, from Lufa, Eastern Highlands, made the call after he alerted police of a Mark 2 sedan which was stolen by criminals and abandoned near his residence at Morata 1 on Friday night.
“I am furious because the criminals left the car at my gate,” he said.
Aige said police fox unit 205 came to his gate and remained there in the neighbourhood for about five hours.
“The police were concerned about the vehicle getting vandalised but they left after we offered to help.”
Aige and his neighbours kept watch until day-break before the criminal investigation division motor squad came to retrieve the car on Saturday. He said Morata was a big settlement and all sorts of people live there.
“Good people and bad people too,” he said.
“A lot of people want to help the police but are fearful of repercussions.
“Our safety is not always guaranteed by law enforcement.
“But we can oppose crime as a community if we stand up together and help the police to fight crime.”
Officer-in-charge of motor squad Snr Sgt Joe Poe was at the crime scene at Morata on Saturday and interviewed the female driver.
Police said she was held up by criminals at Malolo Estate.
The car was rented to the woman when it was stolen.
Police are continuing their investigations.