By Momodou Jawo
Superintendent Lamin Jaiteh, the officer commanding Community Policing Unit of The Gambia Police Forces (GPF) has stressed the need for community to share timely and relevant information with the police.
This, he added, is vital in combating crime and criminal activities within the country, saying that community policing should be re-enforced and strengthened within our communities.
“Communities need to establish community policing structures for its implementation at the grassroots. This is the only way in making The Gambia a crime-free country,” Jaiteh added.
He made this remark in Brufut during a day-long sensitization forum on community policing organized by the Community Policing Unit in collaboration with Human Rights Unit, Complaints and Discipline Unit and the Press and Public Relations Office of the GPF
The Community Policing commander, thus urged other communities to emulate communities like Farafenni and Brufut in the fight against crime.
For his part, Superintendent Musa Camara, Officer Commanding Human Rights urged the people of Brufut to be law-abiding and be good citizens of the country. Camara added that the law has provided every citizen rights, but however was quick to remind them that each of this right goes with responsibility.
Supt. Camara challenged the people of Brufut to take ownership and be responsible for ensuring that peace and security prevails in their communities through the community policing scheme.
The alkalo and the Imam of Brufut, Alhaji Ma-Lamin Manneh and Alh. Ismaila Jagne both expressed their gratitude to be associated with such an educative and productive event. This, they added will raise awareness amongst members of the communities and the country as a whole.
They appealed to the office of the Inspector General of Police through the visiting team to embark on more nationwide sensitisation programs with a view to halting the menace of crimes and its related issues within our societies.
The police public relations officer, Assistant Superintendent Foday Conta, emphasised on the negative effects of criminal activities and use of illicit drugs by mainly the youth. PRO Conta stated that criminal activities and the use of illicit drugs lead to the imprisonment of many of our youthful population or gradually drive them to insanity.
ASP Conta advised the community to be very vigilant and be aware of the happenings in their environment so as to quickly report crimes and criminal activities to the police as that is the only way to combat crime.
“You have an important role to play in the security and policing of their communities. Peace building and security should be the business of all since the police cannot do it all alone,” he stated.
Cadet ASP Suwaibou Bittaye and Sub Inspector Binta Njie-Jatta of the Public Relations Office re-echoed similar sentiments.
