Speaking at a meeting with business owners yesterday, the Maun Police Station commander Moithaly Thokweng informed the gathering that the force needed the assistance of the business community in fighting crime. “Towards this goal, the police are preparing to convene a workshop with the participation of business owners as partners in crime prevention”, Thokweng said.
“The Police have identified certain crimes within the business community like shop-lifting, burglary and robbery which are on the increase,” he said.
The meeting was nearly derailed by a participant who was recently attacked and robbed by unknown men. He blamed the police for inefficiency when attending to emergencies. “The Police are inefficient in curbing crimes because after being attacked and informing the police you send traffic cops to attend the case,” he said. He added that he believed the police are understaffed and while Thokweng was trying to answer him he just left the meeting.
The police chief pointed out that the meeting was not meant to discuss individual cases of crime but to come up with ideas on how to tackle the surging crime and prepare for the workshop.
The workshop which was scheduled for August 31, was brought forward to August 24, after some participants pointed out that month end is the busiest time for their businesses. However, it was clear that some participants were living in fear of being attacked by criminals and wanted to know what the police will be doing to protect them in the meantime.
Thokweng advised those who will be unable to attend the workshop to send responsible employees who can be able to implement decisions taken. He added that the police are preparing the workshop in conjunction with the Executive Committee of Crime Prevention.
