With help from the Mt. Hagen City Commission, who donated a set of 6 tents to the Mt. Hagen Police last year for the Festive operations, these tents will be put to continued use to run the Mobile Police Station Initiative that was put into effect during last month.
Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent John Sagom thanked the city commission for their support, saying this enables them to enhance their coverage of the city and its populace.
“Everyday its going to be a daily thing where we will set up all the mobile police stations. We have already started with one at Rainbow and another at the Pope John Paul Oval which has been very effective as we have now minimized street vending and pick-pocketing in the area.”
Sagom said police will be setting up Mobile stations at main bus stops in the heart of the city and this will be for the public to approach at any-time should they need police assistance or when in need.
He said that due to the Mobile Police Stations being put in place, this has helped minimize offences in the city.
With plans set for enhancing the working conditions of the WHP police, PPC Sagom said housing for officers is another issue that they will be looking into this year.
He stated that most of the houses in the Barracks that are located around the province are colonial houses and many are in need of refurbishment.
“Housing is also a priority that we have included in our strategic plan for this year.”
WHP hosts 5 police barracks, these which in turn, should they be refurbished, will cater for all police officers in the province and would be a huge win. He mentioned that this is also captured in the Hagen Open District Development Plan, to which they are delighted to partner with in this undertaking.