By Rodney Majawa
Chilobwe police Unit has called on men and women within its policing area to participate in all community policing efforts to ensure the area is free from crime.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Officer-in Charge (OC) for the Unit, Francis Nserebo said police wish to see members of the community participating in outdoor sports activities to keep them pre-occupied other that idling in the township.
Nserebo observed that a community which is involved in various activities can become productive and self-reliant thereby, making both males and females more responsible citizens capable of contributing to peaceful and safer environment.
He encouraged both males and females to realise their potential and capabilities to enhance their opportunities and identify occupations that can positively complement initiatives aimed at reducing high unemployment among youths.
The OC expressed hope that Chilobwe policing area can become crime free if both men and women were engaged in sporting and income generating activities that can distract them from misconducts and other criminal activities at the expense of community safety and protection.
“ln every community policing area there are human resources lying idle, well equipped with various formal and informal skills that once realised can become useful in minimising the high crime rate,” he said.
Chilobwe Police Community Policing Coordinator, Sergeant Eleanour Saukila said there is need to create a crime free environment in the Chilobwe policing area by empowering the community to strengthen existing policing structures and form new structures where there are none.
She appealed for sufficient working equipment such as torches, whistles, reflector jackets and protective shoes for vibrant community policing.
Saukila also asked for assistance such as fuel and a reliable mode of transport from various organisations and individuals, saying this will help the police to carry out routine patrols in all crime prone areas.
Chilobwe Police, Gender Coordinator, Pretty Jede said there was need to intensify and introduce a watch group to compliment police efforts in the provision of security and safety.
She also called for adequate resources and capacity building of watch groups to ensure they operate within the Police Act.