Police alone cannot fight to reduce crime in the city because of lack of manpower and resources.
Therefore it has to get the support from the public to curb criminal activities.
Acting police chief Juanita Matanga last Thursday said police cannot address the rise in unlawful activities and behaviour of youths on the streets of Honiara.
It needs the support of all the citizens to act responsibly and played a part in fighting anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.
She said police can’t be there on the streets 24/7.
Over the weekend, shocking incident occurred with removal of an automatic teller machine (ATM) at the Kwaimani building along the Kukum highway.
The theft was carried out with the use of arms which left the two security officers helpless.
Such problems are happening because of many factors including being jobless.
Solomon Islands as a country, must realise with increase population and huge unemployment populations such problems is not reducing.
Many youths have resorted to criminal activities as a means of supporting themselves because they don’t have any work to do inorder to earn an income.
It’s a challenge to address youths’ issues because of lack of resources and willpower.
All stakeholders including the government, non-government organisations, youth organisations, churches, community leaders, women organisations and parents must take an active part in educating our youths to learn from respect and be honest with what they do.
Its important that such youth related activities like drug use, criminal activities and acting disorderly along the streets must be addressed in partnership. Police alone cannot deal with such issues.
“We all have to take responsibilities. Parents, community leaders and everyone need to work together to ensure that our town and place we live is safe and crime free.
“Ordinary citizens must be responsible and take action whenever we see something done is not right and advice or talk to those who do the wrong things within our society or community not to do it,” the acting police chief said.
Working in partnership with the police is one important step to cut down anti-social behaviour and criminal acts which has become a huge problem within the society today.
In the meantime, following the incident over the weekend city residents and businesses must take responsibility to ensure their properties and equipment are secured at all times.
