Saturday, November 29 2008

The business community of Debe/Penal has initiated a self imposed dusk-to-dawn curfew in an attempt to deal with the growing number of crimes in the area, especially robberies.

As a result, members of Debe Community Council have met with police to discuss some course of action.

Among their complaints was the police failure to quickly respond to emergency calls.

Cpl. Bhagwan Dass, of the Debe Police Post, accepted that in some instances they may be guilty of the criticism, but was quick to add that it was only so because of a shortage, or non-availability of police vehicles to respond to calls. Notwithstanding these shortcomings, Dass reiterated that the police was committed to serving the people, and needed their support and cooperation in most instances, to help solve crimes. He suggested that in order to combat the crime situation facing the country communities and police must work together to help root out the rotten elements in society.

Speaking to the residents at the Debe Community Centre on Wednesday night, Cpl Dass further reminded the residents that the police in the district operated from a police post, and not a full station so that in some ways they were handicapped. In spite of the handicap, Cpl Dass said that they were desirous of forging a link between the community and the police.