“Stay safe and stay away from crime for your very own people will be patrolling your neighbourhood with the Police this Christmas.”
Those were the words of the Nasinu Crime Free Taskforce chairman, Ashwin Prasad, at the launch of the Polfrend programme in Newtown, Khalsa Road on Saturday.
The area, which is notorious as a crime prone area in Nasinu, is the first in the district to combine with the Fiji Police Force in this pilot project, which began in Lami Town and the Flagstaff area with Marist Rugby Club players early this year.
The Polfrend programme will see youths of Newtown involved in operations with Police to help safeguard their community and also assist in awareness programmes.
The programme began in Lami and Flagstaff this year with rugby, volleyball players and unemployed youths helping Police on night watch or patrols and has proved very worthwhile for the community and businessmen in both areas.
Mr Prasad has commended community and church leaders in Newtown for supporting the community policing initiatives of the Nasinu Police Station and the Crime Free Taskforce.
“All we would like to say is that people in Newtown should be able to enjoy their Christmas this year because now we have given ownership and responsibility back to the people to help Police,” Mr Prasad said.
“Polfrend is about involving the community and it is also about taking responsibility and security of your own families.
“One thing we must understand is that effective policing means that everyone is involved, not just the Police doing their job but also the people, the community, as crime is everyone's concern.”
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