The police festive operations in Port Moresby ran smoothly in the lead up to the welcoming of the New Year with officers manning roadblock checkpoints around the city in their respective zones .
This was done along with the help of reinforcements from the MS units, K9 Unit, Traffic Police and the CID among others at the disposal of the respective zone commanders to respond to reports from the operations center.
Zone 1 Commander Fred Tundu told this newsroom that since the set up of the roadblocks, the situation has been pretty good with only a few drivers under the influence of alcohol having to be pulled over and their cars grounded until they sober up and are able to head home.
“Basically, we are not locking up anyone but just keeping drunkards off the streets.”
“If they are drinking on the road, we will confiscate the alcohol and send them off.”
However, the situation in the settlements of Port Moresby is another story and a hassle to keep up with the continued reports of alcohol related violence being received by the police.
All in all, the police presence in the lead up to the New Year in itself has had a big impact on deterring offenders from disturbing the peace and ensuring that the change of the year is celebrated in a peaceful manner by the majority of city residents.