New ways of combating crime proposed

By: OSWALD SHIVUTE at ONGWEDIVA

THE Oshana Police Commander has proposed forming crime prevention committees in villages as a way to combat crime in the North.

Deputy Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa and some of his senior

officers met with Ongwediva residents on Saturday to discuss crime

prevention measures at the town and the North as a whole.

"These methods are that we are going to form committees in those

towns, informal settlements and villages, whose members will be the

eyes and ears of the Police, and will work hand in hand with the

Police to crack down the criminals, especially those who are busy

breaking in houses, offices and other institutions, as well as

those who are going around in the night, raping people, harming or

terrorising peace loving people," he said.

 

Kashihakumwa told residents that the Police cannot combat crime

alone, but that it can be done with the help of the communities in

towns and villages.

 

He said that such committees have already been established at

Oshakati town and some of its informal settlements, and are working

very well.

 

"The Police there have already been successful in combating

crime because of the good co-operation between these committee

members and the Police," Kashhakumwa said.

 

He said Police in the Oshana Region were doing their best but

that the assistance of community members is one of the best ways to

help combat crime.

 

The Deputy Commissioner called on residents to create a spirit

of loving each other, talk to each other, working together and

dropping that spirit of selfishness.

 

"If you see some strange movement at your neighbour's house,

shout very hard, or if you have a gun, fire it in the air, so that

that the criminal can run away, or alert you neighbour or the

Police as soon as possible.

 

Let us love each other, let us respect each other and work

together to combat crime among ourselves, and let us work together

with our Police forces in maintaining law and order," Kashihakumwa

said.

 

Some residents complained that the Police do not have vehicles

when they are called out to a case.

 

Kashihakumwa agreed.

 

He said the Police did indeed not have enough vehicles, but the

solution is co-operation between the Police and the communities

Ongwediva Mayor, Erastus Uutoni, told the residents that a new

Police Station is being constructed and that plans are afoot to

have the Oshana Police Headquarters shifted from Oshakati to

Ongwediva soon.

 

The Ongwediva residents assured Kashihakumwa that they are ready

to work with the Police in combating crime.

 

The meeting was organised by the Ongwediva Town Council.

 

"These methods are that we are going to form committees in those

towns, informal settlements and villages, whose members will be the

eyes and ears of the Police, and will work hand in hand with the

Police to crack down the criminals, especially those who are busy

breaking in houses, offices and other institutions, as well as

those who are going around in the night, raping people, harming or

terrorising peace loving people," he said.Kashihakumwa told

residents that the Police cannot combat crime alone, but that it

can be done with the help of the communities in towns and

villages.He said that such committees have already been established

at Oshakati town and some of its informal settlements, and are

working very well."The Police there have already been successful in

combating crime because of the good co-operation between these

committee members and the Police," Kashhakumwa said.He said Police

in the Oshana Region were doing their best but that the assistance

of community members is one of the best ways to help combat

crime.The Deputy Commissioner called on residents to create a

spirit of loving each other, talk to each other, working together

and dropping that spirit of selfishness."If you see some strange

movement at your neighbour's house, shout very hard, or if you have

a gun, fire it in the air, so that that the criminal can run away,

or alert you neighbour or the Police as soon as possible.Let us

love each other, let us respect each other and work together to

combat crime among ourselves, and let us work together with our

Police forces in maintaining law and order," Kashihakumwa said.Some

residents complained that the Police do not have vehicles when they

are called out to a case.Kashihakumwa agreed.He said the Police did

indeed not have enough vehicles, but the solution is co-operation

between the Police and the communities Ongwediva Mayor, Erastus

Uutoni, told the residents that a new Police Station is being

constructed and that plans are afoot to have the Oshana Police

Headquarters shifted from Oshakati to Ongwediva soon.The Ongwediva

residents assured Kashihakumwa that they are ready to work with the

Police in combating crime.The meeting was organised by the

Ongwediva Town Council.

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