Anthony Wagambie Jnr

New acting NCD-Central commander makes intentions known

Though it is an acting appointment, the former Lae metropolitan superintendent says he will make use of every opportunity to effectively police his division.

In a briefing today at the Boroko Police Station, the new divisional commander told senior police officers that he will not remain stagnant in his acting appointment, and expects the same from them.

Lae police seek opinion on buai chewing, smoking

Metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, clarified that this does not include residential areas and established markets that trade betelnut.

“We are seeking your opinion if we should ban this at Top Town, Eriku shopping centre, bus stops and other public areas,” he said.

“We continue to have street sales because there is a market for it, meaning people continue to buy betelnut and cigarettes from these street vendors. If people stop buying then there would not be a reason for them to sell.

Sites scoped for CCTV installation

The law, however, will be catching up with them as Lae chief superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, says they have done scoping work on sites where the next set of CCTV cameras will be placed.

“Top Town and Eriku is next in line. We will be using wireless connectivity so the control centre will be in our new Communications Centre which is currently under construction,” he stated.

63 arrests since CCTV installation: Lae police

The identification of perpetrators and their apprehension, leading to formal arrests, has been made possible through the use of CCTV.

“The 63 arrests have been made by Market Police and Special Response Unit 101 members,” said metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr.

“These are mainly street vending, drunk and disorderly behaviour and traffic offences at the bus stop. Unauthorised PMV crew or most commonly called ‘K5 boss crew’ here in Lae have also been apprehended and arrested.

Malahang Police Station open

Malahang Police patrol area covers Hanta, Malahang, Sipaya/Yanga villages and the back road up to Second Seven Dump.

These areas were previously covered by Chinatown Police. Chinatown Police will now concentrate on Butibam village, Bumbu Compound, Chinatown residential, Voco Point and Cassowary Road.

The public living and working in these areas may access policing services through Malahang Police Station.

The Police Station Commander is Chief Sergeant Paul Wapinian.

Lae police wound gang member

The suspect was part of a seven-man group that scaled the fence of a service station in an attempt to raid staff housing at the back. This was on Saturday, 22nd of February, at about 1am.

A security guard who tried to disturb the suspects was threatened with homemade guns and in fear of being shot, took cover, at the same time raising the alarm.

Lae police report that fortunately, one of the females in the staff residential compound had saved the Police Emergency Toll Free number and immediately called Police.

Lae police commend MP

Metropolitan superintendent, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, said this is the first-of-its-kind to Lae Police from a Member of Parliament.

Of the three ten seaters, one has been allocated to the brand new Malahang Police Station whilst the other two to Sector Response Units 102 and 103.

The Sector Response Unit, which is just over a year old now, has four police vehicles; the first two were donated by the ICTSI in partnership with the office of Member for Lae last year.

Hostage saved in foiled robbery

Lae police boss, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, reported that between four to five men held up a driver and took his vehicle.

“The owner of the vehicle was threatened and forcefully escorted to a secluded area at the back of Peter Block Kamkumung,” stated the chief superintendent.

“The criminals were planning to hold the vehicle owner as hostage while they use his vehicle to commit robbery at a nearby shop.”

Lae police prepare for festive period

Anthony Wagambie Jnr says they have already started the pre-festive season operations.

The Lae police boss has given residents the assurance that his team will be out in full force during the Christmas and New Year period.  

“They should expect to see police all over the place, we’ll have them positioned in all parts of the city,” he said.

“And I encourage the public to make use of our toll free number – 7090 3300 – to call police if they see anything happening, or anything about to happen, or if they feel unsafe.

Police credit residents for low crime rate

Metropolitan superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jnr had nothing but praise for the community in PNG’s second largest city.

The response time for police in Lae is between five to ten minutes.

Metropolitan superintendent Wagambie Jnr says they have adjusted their policing to meet the community’s needs, and this has worked wonders for him and his team.

“We have implemented our strategies in terms of initiatives like the toll free number, sector patrol and also supporting our existing police units,” he said.