Accra, May 24, GNA - Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), David Eklu, Madina District Police Commander, on Monday advised Ghanaians to unite to fight crime and improve the quality of life in their communities. He said the idea of community or good neighbourliness should be translated into unity against crime. Speaking at a meeting with residents of Ashalley Botwe and Sraha communities, CSP Eklu said most armed robbers took drugs before undertaking their operations and could therefore kill their victims at the least resistance.

The residents organised the meeting to discuss how they could cooperate with the Police in fighting crime, following a couple of armed robberies in the communities recently. It is the fourth community outreach programme that the Madina District Police Command has organised to bring policing to the doorsteps of communities to enhance crime control. The previous programmes were held at Agbogba and other environs for hotel and hostel operators to create security consciousness for the safety of their clients. CSP Eklu said: "We do not want to remain in the charge office until crime is committed before we act. The Police would always be in the community to take steps together with the residents to make it difficult for armed robbers to operate". He said thieves would gain the upper hand when they realize that residents were divided and called on residents to unite and be their neighbour's keeper.

CSP Eklu said "Residents in slum areas experience less armed robbery because they are more united than in residential areas". He observed that most of the residents in residential areas could stay for several years without knowing their next door neighbour. CSP Eklu advised them to interact with each other, know the identity of their neighbours, clear bushy areas and report people of suspicious characters to the Police.

He noted that sometimes comments made by people on their mobile phones gave intelligent information about themselves and exposed them to criminals. CSP Eklu said "Criminals do not just jump into any house to steal they undertake intelligent network through house helps and visitors". He said people who attempted to overpower armed robbers when being attacked put themselves in great risk of losing their lives. CSP Eklu advised "Do not play the hero, do not resist when they demand money, lap top computers, mobile phones and other valuables, instead be calm, give the items out, observe, gather evidence and report to the police. Life is precious than the valuables the robbers may take away sometimes temporarily".

He assured the residents that though the Ghana Police Service was constrained by logistic problems they would endeavour to live up to expectation and ensure that crime was reduced in the area by engaging the residents to assist. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ebenezer Boryor, Madina District Crime Officer, asked the residents to mobilise the idle youth to form watchdog committees and motivate them with incentives to operate efficiently and effectively.

He advised the residents to be security conscious, keep their kitchen, garage and washroom doors firmly fortified. Mr Michael Gaso, Assemblyman for the area advised the residents to be security conscious and urged them to cooperate with the Police to fight crime.

He asked them to be careful about house helps, shoe shine operators that visit their homes and mechanics who undertake repairs in their homes and rooms because they served as informants to criminals. 24 May 10