Festive celebrations within New Ireland Province have been generally peaceful and quiet since the festive pre-operations began and is running smoothly.
That’s according to New Ireland Provincial Police Commander Felix Nebanat.
“Police operations throughout the province is progressing accordingly as outgoing police officers from the six major stations, are ensuring communities and villages celebrate this festive season peacefully.”
PPC Nebanat further added that this despite the ratio of police officers to citizens within a particular LLG being unbalanced.
“There is a total of 80 police officers to a population of 300,000 people in the province. The ratio of a single police officer is 2000 to 3000 citizens. This is unbalanced and this problem is faced by other provinces as well”.
He further said the operations were supported by the New Ireland Provincial Government in terms of police allowances and transport to carry out their duties.
A dinghy was also donated to the Taskul Police Station on New Hanover Island for police to patrol and monitor movements between the islands.
Thus far, there were no major incidents reported to have occurred over the Christmas weekend, only a 15 seater PMV bus that went off road due to a punctured tyre, however there were no casualties or reported deaths.
“There is a dispute on Djaul Island just outside Kavieng which police will be looking into today.”
Meanwhile, PPC Nebanat wants to warn the people of New Ireland Province against the use of firecrackers.
“We are restricting the use of firecrackers after hours as this causes disturbances to the general public.”
“Police will be on lookout for people who are consuming illegal alcohol also, whoever found consuming illegal alcohol will be dealt with accordingly”.
He further highlighted that New Ireland Police will incorporate the restoration justice system into rural communities beginning next year to involve the participation of community leaders to assist police reduce illegal and criminal activities in the rural areas.
Nebanat has further commended New Ireland citizens for observing this festive season with good behavior and he hopes they maintain the good spirit until they progress into the New Year, 2023.