Sometimes New Year’s Eve can be a hassle for the officers in blue in Milne Bay, but that was not the case this year.
Police in the province have commended the people for being on their best behavior this festive period.
Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Barkie said even though there were no restrictions imposed on liquor, the people showed exemplary behavior, whilst further resorting to conflict solving at the community level.
“There is a big improvement in the behavior of the people of Alotau and Milne bay. We did not put additional liquor restrictions, we did not enforce a curfew but the people were well behaved.”
Compared to recent years, Barkie added that this year’s festivities were memorable and also very civil.
Looking back at years gone by, PPC Barkie said he is very much proud of what the people portrayed and is grateful that the people have realized that change was needed in each community to ensure that peace and prosperity would be the primary objective of the festivities.
“New year in Milne Bay has been very quiet, unlike in recent years. We had two live performances at two different locations, in the end we are okay. Many communities initiated their own forms neighborhood watch to maintain law and order and I take my hats off to them.”
Barkie further reiterated that police are now working very closely with the police through outreach activities such as the many awareness activities conducted prior to elections and this in turn has boosted the relationship between the public and the police.
Nothing of major concern was reported by the residents, apart from the drunken and disorderly that were picked up around Alotau Town.
For the province as a whole, celebrations went quite well.