23 Mar 2014

Law enforcement is primarily anchored on community partnership hence the need to continuously nurture and strengthen prevention platforms across all levels for better results.

Speaking at District No. 12 crime prevention committee open day on March 20, the commissioner of police, Mr Keabetswe Makgophe said taking the police to the community would facilitate an open two-way communication process that would enable customers to better understand police services.

He said the feedback received from customers would in turn enable the police to fully appreciate their expectations and deliver accordingly. Mr Makgophe was happy with crime decline in the area and encouraged the district to continue interrogating their strategies.

He said even though the area had noted increased robbery cases from 46 to 52 from 2012 to 2013, the area had made effort in prevention of crime as the total statistics had reduced from 597 in 2012 to 489 in 2013.

“Where team work prevails, success is guaranteed because people jointly identify and tackle problems confronting them in a wider perspective,” he said.

Mr Makgophe commended the Kgatleng crime prevention committee for the day and encouraged them to keep up the good work and ensure a safe and secure nation by the year 2016.

The district chairperson of crime prevention committee, Ms Naomi Lekgaba said the objective of the open day was to bring the police services to the community.

“Crime is a major challenge in Botswana and the situation keeps rising from time to time,” she noted.

Ms Lekgaba encouraged the public to volunteer in fighting crime, adding that the safety of the country rests with its citizens.

Member of the Mahurutshe cluster committee Ms Fiona Tsele said they have a problem of transport shortage, which delays response time.

District No 12 crime prevention committee police open day was held under the theme, “strengthening partnerships with the community by taking policing services to the public for a safe and secure nation by 2016 creating a greater nation.” ENDS