EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA — Local leaders have been called upon to embrace the policy of community policing in order to fight crime.

Addressing Ngoma District Sector executive secretaries on Wednesday, the national Director of Community Policing, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Butera said there was need for cooperation between local leaders and the police in order to ensure a decline in crime rate.

"Let’s work together to fight crimes. Community policing can not be successful if there is no proper communication and cooperation,” Butera said. All Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) who are in charge of community policing in sectors attended the meeting.

Butera called for partnership between CLO and sector leaders in involving Community Policing Committees (CPCs) in the venture. He urged them to sensitize the local communities and CPCs and involve them in identifying security threats.

The CLOs, he said, should closely be committed to working with the communities to improve police performance. Effective community policing he said has a positive impact in reducing neighborhood crime, helping to reduce the fear of crime and enhancing the quality of life in the community.

According to Butera, sensitizing residents before punishing is the best method in reducing the level of crimes. Excessive drinking, which results into fighting, was cited by CLOs among the common crimes in all sectors.

Other crimes identified included genocide ideology most especially in Nyamirambo cell, Karembo sector. Selling of local potent gin locally known as ‘Kanyanga’ and marijuana were among the other crimes reported by CLOs.

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