NCD governor Powes Parkop has vowed to address the City's law and order issues as a priority and has introduced some measures as initial steps to fight the increased lawlessness including reviving the Urban Youth Employment Program in the city and shutting down the sale of high content alcohol. "Lately there has been a cry about safety and security issues in the city. As Governor of NCD, I want to let you all know, I hear you," said governor Powes Parkop. "I want to assure you that providing an environment conducive for your peaceful life in the city is a key part of our vision and goals. We understand that living in peace and safety is essential to having a good quality of life." "I wish to therefore assure everyone that the concerns you have will not go unnoticed or go to deaf ears." He said they have many intervention plans which they will keep on implementing and they are determined to do more including considering viable proposals and suggestions from stakeholders in the city. "Indeed enforcement of the law, arrest and prosecution is slow and we need to improve this as soon as possible. We will work with the police in this respect even though the police don’t have enough manpower,"said Parkop. "I have been working in the background to ensure we have the right information and resources to proceed." "Our NCD Police Command have equally been working on this as well." Two weeks ago they held a weeklong workshop with their colleagues in Central Province to develop a strategic plan on how they can deliver police services better and more effectively. "We however can’t wait for the Police strategic plan to be finalized." "We need intervention now. So as a proactive measure, I met with Mr Gideon Ikumu, NCD Metsup and City Manager this week in our capacity as NCD Peace and Good Order Committee to discuss the situation at hand and importantly measures we can undertake immediately." "We note that due to the slow down of economy, coupled with the ongoing pandemic, low employment availability, increased migration to the city, the general public is under tremendous strain and this has led to an increase in social tension in the city and the country." "We agreed to pool all available resources and restore the community safety as priority. Some of the approaches and initiatives we discussed for immediate implementation and consideration includes: 1) To revive the Peace and Good Order Committee in NCD to integrate all key stakeholders. 2) Investigate and shut down cheap high content alcohol that exceeds legal limits. 3) Activate the Urban Youth Employment Program and integrate them with NCDC's ongoing programs to cater for our increasing youth population. 4) Activate all CCTV's installed in the City. 6) Commence the hotspot surveillance in Gerehu, Tabari, Boroko, Manu and Gordons using the improvised community policing model under command of NCD Police. 7) Integrate bus stop wardens, Rangers with community policing. 8) Explore the possibility of deploying dog units from Macgregor at hotspots. 9) ACP Wagambie and I will host a stakeholders meeting ASAP to build community collaboration and hear proposals from stakeholders on initiatives to improve safety and security. 10). ACP and Metsup to present their strategic plans of their proposed response to deal with crime and security challenges in the city within 2 weeks. After the meeting, NCD Metsup Gideon Ikumu said “NCD Police under my command are committed to delivering higher police services to meet challenges in the city. Despite our limitations, we have developed a strategy which will enable us to control the security level by utilizing all our resources and working closely in collaboration with stakeholders and communities to deliver these outcomes. I will deliver the details of this strategic plans soon”. Law and order, safety and security is everyone's responsibility. We started a stakeholders meeting on COVID and on GBV and I will soon call for a meeting to address the Law and Order issue in the city. Together we can address this problem and help our police officers to curb this issue and secure highest level of peace and security in our city and our country. On the same token, I also encourage people to report crimes to the Police and assist with their investigations. Do not spread fake news and create fear among the community.