Gbarnga, Bong County – The Bong County Police Detachment has stepped up the enforcement of a night-time curfew imposed on business and sure non-public motorbike operations in Gbarnga.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
The transfer is aimed toward tackling rising considerations over legal actions throughout the town, notably in areas recognized as high-risk zones.
The curfew, which restricts motorbike motion between the hours of 11:30 PM and 5:00 AM, is now being enforced extra aggressively by way of the deployment of officers at key street junctions.
Bong County Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Fasu Sheriff, says the police are dedicated to tightening management and making certain full compliance with the curfew regulation.
“Now we have recognized strategic places together with Far East, Outdated One Plus One, and Lofa Parking, the place law enforcement officials can be stationed throughout curfew hours to make sure full compliance,” ACP Sheriff acknowledged.
He emphasised that the measure isn’t meant to focus on any particular group unfairly, however to guard residents and deter potential legal parts who typically benefit from the nighttime hours.
In line with Sheriff, law enforcement officials stationed on the varied checkpoints will perform inspections of all business motorcyclists and different people discovered exterior in the course of the curfew interval.
He added that these officers can be vigilant in figuring out whether or not people have official causes to be out and can take applicable motion when vital.
The police commander additionally disclosed that members of neighborhood watch groups can be deployed alongside officers in the course of the nighttime patrols. He defined that their presence will assist to bolster safety efforts and promote collaboration between regulation enforcement and residents. “These joint efforts are supposed to safeguard lives and property. We’d like everybody’s cooperation,” Sheriff famous.
He additional recognized “Kampala” Barrack, the oil depot, and the John Flomo Bakalu space as recognized hotspots the place legal actions are often reported. He stated these areas will obtain particular consideration from each the police and neighborhood watch teams throughout night time operations.
“We’re encouraging the general public to work with us. Use the hotline numbers revealed within the media to alert us of any legal exercise,” ACP Sheriff appealed. He harassed the significance of neighborhood participation in crime prevention, saying that the police depend on well timed data from residents to reply successfully to incidents.
In acknowledging the logistical challenges his detachment faces, Sheriff thanked Liberia Nationwide Police Inspector Basic Gregory O.W. Coleman for the latest allocation of gas to the Bong County detachment. “We’re grateful to the Inspector Basic for the allocation of fifty gallons of gas per 30 days. That is the primary time since I assumed the position as County Commander that we’ve acquired this type of assist,” he stated.
Regardless of the appreciation, Sheriff identified that the present gas assist stays far beneath the operational calls for of the detachment. He famous that the police in Bong County nonetheless face main logistical constraints together with gas shortages, lack of lubricants, and different important provides which are vital for sustained and efficient patrols throughout the county.
“Whereas the gas assist is a step in the best route, it isn’t sufficient. We’re overlaying a big space, and to be efficient, we want extra sources,” Sheriff added.
He additionally revealed that the curfew enforcement operation will proceed in phases till January 2026. The choice to hold out the curfew in segments, he stated, will enable the police to observe tendencies, assess compliance, and alter operations accordingly based mostly on crime patterns and public conduct.
The police commander reiterated his name for public assist and cooperation, stating that safety is a collective accountability. He warned that anybody discovered violating the curfew with out correct justification can be topic to questioning or potential arrest, because the police attempt to cut back crime and restore public confidence in regulation enforcement.
The curfew measure, whereas receiving some public assist, has additionally sparked discussions across the steadiness between safety enforcement and freedom of motion. Nonetheless, regulation enforcement authorities preserve that the motion is important and proportionate, given the present rise in reported thefts, armed robberies, and nighttime disturbances in a number of neighborhoods.