Lae Police Command is planning to create a Facebook page and toll free public hotline to combat crime in the country’s second largest city in 2017.
Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr said, “I am looking at setting up a Facebook page so that direct communication is maintained. I have already written to Digicel Ltd and I am hoping they can come to us positively in putting in a toll free line for the public to call when there is a need.”
The Wagambie Jnr also stated that in his second year as the city’s police boss, more partnerships will be established with public and private sectors to help fight crime.
“For 2017, we plan to work closely with all our stakeholders, both public and private as well as NGO groups. Consultation and sharing of resources for a common goal in ensuring peace and order is what I am focussing,” Wagambie Jnr said.
“We will be meeting with the (Lae) Chamber of Commerce president, Alan McLay to put forward a proposal to him to gauge support from the business community in Lae. This is a plan to raise funds to pay informants to Police. I want to create a system where we buy information from individuals.
“You will find that criminals will eventually turn into informants as this is a much easier way of earning money. At the end of the day, all of Lae will benefit as crime will be reduced. This fund will be managed by a committee from the chamber, my office and AFP. This is to ensure transparency.”
Wagambie Jnr said appealed to Lae residents to celebrate the New Year peacefully, as Police will be out in full force.
“Police will not hesitate to deal with individuals who disturb others. We must observe the changing of the year, as every year passes, we grow older, which means, we must reflect back on what has happened this year and we need to change for the better.”