Turn away from crime, says Naru

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

MOROBE Governor Kelly Naru has advised Lae residents to turn away from crime or face the consequences.

Naru said this while handing over six new vehicles to police in Lae.

“Trouble-makers must think again,” Naru said.

“This provincial government is serious about addressing law and order problems in Lae. We are beefing up police to take on law and order problems.”

Naru said 60 auxiliary police officers would be recruited (10 in each of the six wards) to help fight crime.

The city has experienced a surge in armed robberies recently with the City Pharmacy and Andersons Foodland being the latest targets.

“I have also committed K300,000 to police to buy firearms and uniforms,” Naru said.

The vehicles were bought by the provincial government for about K500,000 from the provincial services improvement programme funds. 

Naru urged police officers not to misuse the vehicles.

“These vehicles cost a lot of taxpayers’ money and I urge you to use them properly,” he said. 

Naru told members of the public that law and order problem was everyone’s business and not the police alone.