Police Launch Massive Crime, Road Safety Operation
Sharon Mathala | Monday November 3, 2014 19:03
Speaking at the launch, acting police commissioner, Victor Paledi, said: “You only live once” (YOLO), an expression often used to stress that one’s life cannot be lived twice.”
This year’s campaign will be under the theme; “In Partnership with You”. It will run until December 31, 2014.
Paledi said that it is usually during the festive season that people travel alot, and consequently this time also coincides with that of most recorded road accidents and crime.
“These movements are especially from urban to rural settings, it is therefore not surprising that we record high numbers of road traffic accidents and break-in cases during this time of the year because a lot of people will be traveling and most of these people would have left their homes and business premises unattended,” he said.
The acting police boss said 2014 has been another hectic year for the police force. However, he said they have recorded a satisfactory performance on serious and violent crimes this year. “ When comparing the period of January to September with the same period last year, we managed to score a 6.9 % overall reduction in serious and violent crimes. Robbery cases reduces from 1385 to 1246 reported cases,” he said.
Further, he said burglary and theft cases reduced from 2,442 to 2,163. Store break-in and theft cases have also reduced from 1,982 to 1,906, while house breaking and theft cases have also reduced from 2,320 to 2,175 this year.
“On road safety issues we managed to reduce a total number of traffic accidents by 16 % from 14, 191 last year to 11,920 this year. Fatalities this year yielded a 20% reduction from 333 to 226 deaths,” said Paledi who, however, said that despite these notable reductions, the police still considered the figures to be relatively high looking at Botswana’s small population.
Paledi further revealed the participation of other stakeholders in carrying out thi crime and road safety operation, they are: The Department of Road, Transport and Safety (DRTS), Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), Botswana Bus Operators Association (BOBOA) as well as the Botswana Alcohol Industry Association (BAIA).
MVA CEO, Cross Kgosidiile, said they are delighted once again to work with the BPS and further urged people to take appropriate measures to ensure their personal safety and of their property.