Bravo Grand Palm!

Editor | Monday February 22, 2010 00:00

This contribution by the Grand Palm is welcome indeed at this time when  the police budget is inadequate due to the shrinking national coffers. Shortage of financial resources this financial year is sure to impact on a number of developmental projects and there can be no opportune time than this for the private sector to stand up and be counted by lending a hand to prop up our economy.

The roll out of the community police programme in particular is going to depend on the cooperation of the private sector and the community so that the government would come in and help where efforts are already being made by other stakeholders.Grand Palm Hotel and Casino have shown that companies can invest in their  own security by working with the community in which they operate. Reduction of crime in Block 6 and Block 5 as a result of the new satellite police stations would not only benefit the Resort but the community as a whole, everyone needs a peace of mind while they are sleeping, or at work, or away on holiday. Grand Palm has shown that indeed, it takes the contribution of all stakeholders, particularly the private sector and the members of the community to make the city crime-free. It is interesting to note that the Grand Palm did not use the global financial recession as an excuse not to acquire the porta cabins for the Block 6 & Block 5 communities.

It would be regrettable if the roll out of the volunteer police/satellite police comes to nought in the rest of the country, just because the private sector has ignored their core responsibilities and expects government to do everything for the community including the business community, in as far as providing security is concerned.We would also like to salute the tireless efforts of the Block 5 & Block 6 residents, who have been fighting crime as if they were salaried to do so. Whoever thought the spirit of  self reliance, national pride, love for one another,  was lost among the urban dwellers of Gaborone must only look at the communities of Block 5 and Block 6, as they fight crime and care for one another like one big family. We can all be like that too!