Youths urged to end petty crimes

By ROSELYN ELLISON
EAST New Britain police commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali has appealed to youths in Malaguna one in the Balanataman local level government (LLG) in Rabaul to stop harassing mothers and young girls.
“Stop harassing mothers and young girls who come to Rabaul market and town daily to do their business,” he said.
“It is unhealthy for economic activities and growth to continue with harassments in the short or long term.”
Chief Insp Tabali spoke at the reconciliation ceremony of Malaguna one with Matupit, Matalau and Nordup villages of the Kombui LLG at the Xavier Catholic church on Thursday.
He urged the youths to think positive and participate in initiatives that would benefit them and the community instead of getting involve in petty crimes.
“In the past week, youths from these four communities took the law into their hands and their fighting had forced businesses to close, thus affecting and inconveniencing the public,” he said.
“Law and order is not only a police issue.
“I urge each citizen to live in peace by not escalating law and order issues in your villages or wards and work closely with the police to reduce crime rate.
“Ward members of Malaguna one and ward eight of Rabaul town and their ward development committee members should rise and do something to help minimise law and order issues.
“What the youths did is a criminal offence and police will have to deal with the cases accordingly.
“I need your full cooperation, from complainants to provide statements and evidence so police can prepare court files.”
Chief Insp Tabali also warned that police would not hesitate to arrest and come down hard on those carrying weapons in the public.